Lionel Messi’s name has disappeared from the official squad list for the Argentina National Team to face the Uruguay National Team and the Brazil National Team during this month’s international break.
On Monday (17/3/2025) evening IST, coach Lionel Scaloni released the official squad list for the Argentina National Team for two 2026 World Cup Qualification matches in the CONMEBOL Zone against the Uruguay National Team and the Brazil National Team.
In the announcement, Scaloni made a surprise by crossing out Lionel Messi’s name.
In fact, the 37-year-old megastar was initially included in Argentina’s provisional squad consisting of 33 players on March 2.
Renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Messi was dropped due to a minor muscle injury in the adductor area.
Messi experienced the problem after appearing in the match against Atlanta United in the continuation of MLS 2025 on Sunday local time.
Messi’s absence is clearly a big loss for Argentina.
After all, La Pulga is their main pillar.
Argentina’s success in winning prestigious trophies such as the World Cup and Copa America in recent years is also inseparable from Messi’s major contribution.
Messi has won 191 caps for Argentina.
From that number of matches, the former Barcelona captain managed to score 112 goals and 61 assists.
According to the schedule, Argentina will first visit Uruguay’s headquarters in Centenario.
The duel will be held on Saturday (22/3/2025) at 05.00 IST.
Just four days later, the Tango Team hosted Brazil at the Estadio Monumental.
Here is Argentina’s official squad to face Uruguay and Brazil:
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven)
Defender
Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Germán Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina, (Lens), Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon)
Midfielder
Leandro Paredes (Roma), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Máximo Perrone (Como), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Benjamín Domínguez (Bologna), Thiago Almada (Olympique Lyon)
Midfielder
Leandro Paredes (Roma), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Máximo Perrone (Como), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Benjamín Domínguez (Bologna), Thiago Almada (Olympique Lyon)
Attacker
Nicolás González (Juventus), Nicolás Paz (Como), Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City), Julián Álvarez (Manchester City), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Santiago Castro (Bologna), Ángel Correa (Atletico Madrid)
