Argentina’s preparations for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil have taken another hit as Lautaro Martínez has joined Lionel Messi on the injury list. Messi had already been ruled out earlier in the week due to an adductor injury, and now Martínez, one of Argentina’s key attacking options, has also been forced to withdraw. The growing list of absentees presents a major challenge for head coach Lionel Scaloni as he reshapes his squad for two of the toughest fixtures in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign.

Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martínez was a late addition to Argentina’s injury concerns, suffering a hamstring issue during his club’s Champions League match against Feyenoord. Despite initial hopes that he might recover in time, medical evaluations confirmed that he would be unable to participate in the upcoming international fixtures. His absence further depletes Argentina’s attacking options, forcing Scaloni to make last-minute adjustments to his game plan.

The news of Martínez’s withdrawal comes after Argentina had already lost Lionel Messi, who was ruled out days earlier due to a low-grade adductor injury. The Inter Miami star played a full 90 minutes and scored in his club’s win over Atlanta United but reported discomfort afterward. A subsequent MRI scan confirmed the injury, making him unavailable for the qualifiers. Without Messi, Argentina will have to adjust to the absence of their primary playmaker and leader, a situation that adds significant pressure on the rest of the squad.

Beyond Messi and Martínez, Argentina will also be without Gonzalo Montiel, Giovani Lo Celso, and Paulo Dybala, who have all been ruled out due to various fitness issues. These absences severely impact Scaloni’s tactical flexibility, especially in attack, where the team must now rely on alternative options to fill the void left by two of their most prolific goal-scorers.

Despite these setbacks, Argentina remains at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with 25 points from 12 games, holding a five-point lead over second-placed Uruguay. However, their upcoming fixtures will put their squad depth to the test. They first face Uruguay in Montevideo on Friday before traveling to Brazil for a high-stakes clash four days later. Both matches could have significant implications for Argentina’s qualification path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With two of his biggest attacking threats unavailable, Scaloni will have to turn to players like Julián Álvarez and Ángel Di María to lead the frontline. The tactical approach may also shift, with Argentina potentially opting for a more structured and defensive game plan to compensate for the loss of Messi’s creativity and Martínez’s finishing ability. The depth of Argentina’s squad will now be under scrutiny, as Scaloni looks for solutions to maintain their strong position in the qualifying standings.

Argentina’s resilience will be tested in these crucial fixtures, but as defending World Cup champions, they still possess the quality to overcome adversity. With key players missing, these matches will serve as a defining moment for the squad’s ability to adapt and compete at the highest level. The coming days will reveal whether Scaloni’s side can navigate these challenges and maintain their dominance in South American qualifiers.