Lionel Messi Ruled Out of Argentina’s World Cup Qualifiers Against Brazil and Uruguay

The Argentine national team will have to navigate its upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers without its legendary captain, Lionel Messi, who has been ruled out due to a muscle strain. This is a significant blow for the defending world champions as they prepare for two crucial encounters against Uruguay and Brazil in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.

Messi, 37, picked up the muscle injury while playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). He scored in his club’s 2-1 victory against Atlanta United, but post-match discomfort has led to the decision for him to remain in the United States to recover. His absence means Argentina will have to rely on alternative attacking options as they look to maintain their strong position in the standings.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano had already been managing Messi’s workload, resting him for three consecutive MLS matches before allowing him to play a full 90 minutes against Atlanta. While the hope was that he would return to international duty, the Argentine medical staff decided that resting him was the best option to avoid worsening his condition.

Despite Messi’s absence, Argentina remains in a strong position in the qualifiers. They currently lead the CONMEBOL standings with 25 points from 12 games, having already secured several key victories on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, they now face a tough test against a resurgent Uruguay, led by Marcelo Bielsa, and a struggling but still dangerous Brazil on March 25.

Argentina’s squad is also missing other key players, including Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Montiel, and Giovani Lo Celso. In response to these setbacks, head coach Lionel Scaloni has included young talents such as Nico Paz, Thiago Almada, and Máximo Perrone, alongside established stars like Julián Álvarez and Rodrigo De Paul. The depth of Argentina’s squad will be tested as they aim to maintain their dominance in the qualification campaign.

Brazil is also dealing with a major injury setback. Neymar, who was expected to make his return after more than a year out of the national team, has suffered a muscle injury and will miss the clash. His absence, coupled with Messi’s, removes two of the biggest stars from what is traditionally one of the most anticipated fixtures in world football. This shift means both teams will have to look to their younger stars, such as Vinícius Júnior for Brazil and Julián Álvarez for Argentina, to step up in this high-stakes matchup.

Argentina will now focus on securing early qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup without their captain. While Messi’s absence is a setback, the squad’s depth and experience will be crucial in ensuring they remain at the top of the table. The upcoming matches will be a test of Argentina’s ability to adapt and perform without their leader on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Messi’s priority will be making a full recovery and returning in top form for Inter Miami’s MLS campaign and Argentina’s future qualifiers. His absence is expected to be short-term, but Argentina will have to prove they can cope without their talisman.

As Argentina prepares for its South American showdowns, the big question remains: Can La Albiceleste thrive without their captain, or will Messi’s absence expose vulnerabilities in their attack? Fans will be watching closely as the drama unfolds.