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Lionel Messi to miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers v Brazil and Uruguay Lionel Messi to miss Argentina World Cup qualifiers with adductor injury
(about 5 hours later)
Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to an apparent muscle injury. The 37-year-old was not included in the 25-man squad announced on Monday by coach Lionel Scaloni. Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to an adductor muscle injury. The 37-year-old was not included in the 25-man squad announced on Monday by coach Lionel Scaloni.
Argentinian media reported Messi suffered a sore left thigh on Sunday during Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United. However, the Argentinian Football Association did not disclose the reason for his absence. Messi featured in Inter Miami’s MLS win over Atlanta United on Sunday, scoring in the 20th minute and playing the full 90 minutes of the match despite picking up an injury. On Monday, Inter Miami confirmed he had suffered a “low-grade” adductor muscle injury.
Argentina, who lead South American World Cup qualifying, will visit second-placed Uruguay on Friday and host fifth-placed Brazil four days later at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. “Messi underwent an MRI [scan] this morning to assess the extent of the discomfort in his adductor region, which he experienced during last night’s match against Atlanta United,” read a club statement.
Messi was not the only absentee for the two matches that could seal Argentina’s qualification. Also ruled out were Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Montiel and Giovani Lo Celso. “The examination’s findings confirmed the presence of a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle. His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition.”
Scaloni also dropped Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Mancheseter City’s Claudio Echeverri from the larger squad announced on 2 March. Argentina, who lead South American World Cup qualifying, will visit second-placed Uruguay on Friday and host fifth-placed Brazil four days later at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The Argentinian Football Association had not disclosed a reason for his absence.
World Cup winner Messi has been sidelined several times by Inter Miami this season due to a risk of injury, Miami coach Javier Mascherano said. This month, Messi missed three games but returned on Thursday for the second leg of the round-of-16 Concacaf Champions Cup tie against Cavalier SC. Messi was not the only absentee for the two matches that could seal Argentina’s qualification. Also ruled out were Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Montiel and Giovani Lo Celso. Scaloni also dropped Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Manchester City newcomer Claudio Echeverri from the larger squad announced on 2 March.
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Mascherano said Messi was fit to start against Atlanta on Sunday. Messi scored in the 20th minute, just before he was reported to have been injured. He played the full 90 minutes of the match. World Cup winner Messi has been sidelined several times by Inter Miami this season due to a risk of injury, team coach Javier Mascherano said. This month, Messi missed three games but returned on Thursday for the second leg of the round-of-16 Concacaf Champions Cup tie against Cavalier SC.