Lionel Messi has been left out of Argentina’s World Cup qualifying squad due to a lingering right ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final
Lionel Messi, 37, has been omitted from the Argentina squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to an ongoing injury.
The star forward has not played since sustaining a right ankle injury during the Copa America final on July 14. In that match, Argentina secured a 1-0 victory over Colombia.
Two days after the final, Inter Miami announced that Messi had suffered ligament damage in his ankle and would be sidelined indefinitely.
The extent of his injury was initially uncertain, with Miami head coach Tata Martino stating that further tests were necessary to determine its severity.
The injury occurred just past the hour mark in the Copa America final, when Messi appeared to slip on the Hard Rock Stadium pitch.
After signaling for medical assistance, he was treated on the field before being substituted. Despite his evident desire to continue playing, Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, confirmed that Messi had no choice but to leave the match.
Messi, visibly emotional on the substitutes’ bench, later joined his teammates to lift the trophy during Argentina’s post-match celebrations.
His absence from the upcoming qualifiers is a significant blow for Argentina, as they continue their campaign without their iconic captain.
