Lionel Messi Argentina World Cup qualifiers: Argentina captain Lionel Messi has rejoined the national team for training ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. The 37-year-old last played for Argentina in November 2024 but missed the March fixtures due to a muscle injury.
Lionel Messi Argentina World Cup qualifiers
Despite his absence, Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, have already secured their spot in the next tournament. Now, Messi is back in top form, fresh from an outstanding run with Inter Miami CF in MLS.
Messi’s Stellar Club Form Continues
Just before linking up with Argentina, Messi was named MLS Player of the Week for the second consecutive time. His performance in Inter Miami’s 5-1 win over Columbus Crew was exceptional—he contributed to all five goals, proving he’s still at the peak of his game.
Read also: Lionel Andres Messi’s Biography, Net Worth
Argentina’s Upcoming Matches
Argentina, currently top of the CONMEBOL standings with 31 points, will face:
- Chile (Away) – Thursday
- Colombia (Home) – Buenos Aires (Estadio Monumental)
With qualification already secured, coach Lionel Scaloni might rotate the squad, but Messi’s presence ensures Argentina remains a formidable force.
New Faces in the Squad
Alongside Messi’s return, three new players have earned their first-ever call-ups:
- Kevin Lomónaco (Defender, Independiente)
- Mariano Troilo (Defender, Belgrano)
- Franco Mastantuono (17-year-old Forward, River Plate)
Mastantuono, in particular, has already attracted interest from top European clubs, making his debut a highly anticipated moment.
Injury and Suspension Challenges
Scaloni has some tough decisions to make due to missing key players:
- Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica) – Suspended
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – Injured
- Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) & Leandro Paredes (AS Roma) – Suspended (yellow card accumulation)
Potential defensive replacements include Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille) and Facundo Medina (Lens).
Meanwhile, Lautaro MartÃnez (Inter Milan) will join the squad late after his club’s Champions League final defeat to PSG and is unlikely to feature against Chile.
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