Can 'Messiless' Argentina still be merciless?
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 18.03.25. | 12:49
Lionel Scaloni's squad will await the decisive battles in the South American World Cup qualifiers without their icon Lionel Messi, who has been sidelined due to an adductor muscle injury
Argentina have been merciless in the South American World Cup qualifiers so far. La Albiceleste have collected 25 points in 12 rounds and firmly hold the first ticket for the USA, Canada, and Mexico, topping the table. However, the job isn't done, as Lionel Scaloni's men have yet to confirm their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and they'll have to do it without Lionel Messi!
The Argentinian icon wasn't included in Scaloni's 25-man squad for the upcoming clashes against Uruguay in Montevideo and Brazil in Buenos Aires, given that he'd been sidelined due to an adductor muscle injury, as announced in his club Inter Miami's statement.
🚨 Leo Messi on IG: “I’m sad to miss these important games against Uruguay and Brazil with the national team. I really wanted to play, but a small injury means I need to rest for a bit, so I can’t be there. I’ll be supporting and cheering from here like any other fan. Let’s go,… pic.twitter.com/MoqqdnB6Cn
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 17, 2025
In the previous 12 qualifying rounds, Messi missed only three games - in September 2023 against Bolivia - clocking 90 minutes in as many as seven matches. Hence, his absence will be a huge blow for Argentina, especially considering the strength of the upcoming opponents and the "archrivalry" La Albiceleste have with them. Without the 37-year-old, Argentina recorded two wins (over Bolivia and Chile) and a defeat against Colombia so far in the qualifiers.
Apart from Messi, Scaloni had to rule out Gonzalo Montiel, Giovani Lo Celso, and Paulo Dybala for injuries, so the 46-year-old will have to cope with a lot of headaches ahead of the upcoming challenges.
2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - SOUTH AMERICA
Round 13
Friday
01:55: (1.75) Paraguay (3.45) Chile (5.20)
03:45: (1.78) Brazil (3.50) Colombia (4.90)
04:30: (1.38) Peru (4.50) Bolivia (9.50)
Saturday
00:00: (1.45) Ecuador (4.20) Venezuela (8.00)
02:30: (2.75) Uruguay (2.95) Argentina (2.85)
***odds are subject to change***
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