Injured Messi to Miss Argentina’s World Cup Qualifiers

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers this month after suffering a groin strain in Inter Miami’s victory over Atlanta at the weekend, his club confirmed on Monday.

Injury Details
Inter Miami said in a statement that a scan had revealed Messi suffered a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle” in the 2-1 win on Sunday. The statement gave no timetable for Messi’s return.

Argentina’s Upcoming Matches
Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, can ensure qualification for next year’s tournament in their next two games. They lead the 10-team South American qualifying group by five points ahead of the game with Uruguay in Montevideo.

Qualification Process
The top six teams qualify directly for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The seventh-placed team is currently Bolivia with 13 points.

Messi’s Performance
After missing three games for Inter earlier this month, the 37-year-old returned with a goal off the bench in a CONCACAF Champions Cup win. Messi is the top scorer in the competition with six goals.

Other Injuries
Argentina are also without injured Roma striker Paulo Dybala and River Plate full-back Paulo Montiel. Brazil will be without 33-year-old Neymar, who has suffered a thigh injury and has had to postpone his return to the national team.

Argentina’s Squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, ENG), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille, FRA), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven, NED).

Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille, FRA), Cristian Romero (Tottenham, ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, POR), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon, FRA), Facundo Medina (Lens, FRA), Juan Foyth (Villarreal, ESP), German Pezzella (River Plate)

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma, ITA), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, ENG), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, GER), Maximo Perrone (Como, ITA), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea, ENG), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Benjamin Dominguez (Bologne, ITA), Thiago Almada (Lyon, FRA)

Forwards: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, ITA), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Nicolas Paz (Como, ITA), Santiago Castro (Bologna, ITA), Nicolas Gonzalez (Juventus, ITA).