Argentina will be without their superstar Lionel Messi for two crucial matches against Uruguay and Brazil during the international break in March. The Inter Miami player is injured and has not been included in the squad.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has named his squad for this month’s international break. La Albiceleste face Uruguay on 22 March and Brazil on 26 March.
Both games are important. However, Argentina remain firmly at the top of CONMEBOL’s 2026 World Cup qualifying standings. They have 25 points from 12 games, the most of any nation.
Argentina’s first opponents, Uruguay, are currently second with five points less. The match will be played at Uruguay’s home ground, the Centenario.
Meanwhile, the clash with Brazil carries a lot of prestige. The two teams have been locked in a fierce rivalry for years.
Argentina without Lionel Messi
Unfortunately, Argentina will not be at their best. Lionel Messi is out after suffering a muscle problem in his leg.
In fact, Messi played the full match for Inter Miami against Atlanta United on Monday (17/3). La Pulga performed well and scored a goal.
As well as the 37-year-old, Argentina will also be without Paulo Dybala. Gonzalo Montiel is also on the injury list.
But Argentina’s squad is still full of stars. Emiliano Martinez, Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez are ready to take Argentina closer to a direct ticket to next year’s World Cup.
At the moment, Argentina’s position is considered secure. The top six teams in the final standings will receive direct tickets to the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina squad list for March 2025 international break
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven).
Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Facundo Medina (Lens), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), German Pezzella (River Plate)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Maximo Perrone (Como), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Benjamin Dominguez (Bologna), Thiago Almada (Lyon)
Forwards: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Nicolas Paz (Como), Santiago Castro (Bologna), Nicolas Gonzalez (Juventus)
