Current:Home > reviewsInjured Lionel Messi won't join Argentina for World Cup qualifying matches next month -VitalWealth Strategies
Injured Lionel Messi won't join Argentina for World Cup qualifying matches next month
View
Date:2025-04-18 06:28:49
Lionel Messi will have some more time to recover from his Copa America ankle injury in the next month.
Messi – Argentina’s World Cup and two-time Copa America champion – was not listed on Argentina’s roster Monday for two World Cup 2026 qualifying matches in September.
Argentina will host Chile on Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. ET inside Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires in the first match.
The second match is a Copa America final rematch against Colombia on Sept 10 at 4:30 p.m. ET inside Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Messi not being selected by Argentina allows the Inter Miami star to continue his recovery from a right ankle ligament injury, sustained during the Copa America final on July 14, without the pressures of playing for the national team.
Messi is no longer using a walking boot, working on his own with club trainers, but has yet to practice with his Inter Miami teammates since his injury. His return to action for Inter Miami is still in question.
Inter Miami will resume the MLS regular season on Saturday at home against FC Cincinnati. Both clubs are first and second, respectively, in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Inter Miami was eliminated from the Leagues Cup tournament by reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew last Tuesday. It was the club’s third loss in 11 games without Messi, dating back to his Copa America departure on June 1.
Inter Miami leads the MLS Eastern Conference with 53 points, five points ahead of Cincinnati and 10 points ahead of the third-place Crew.
Argentina leads the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with 15 points after five wins and a loss, heading into the September matches. Uruguay (13 points), Colombia (12), Venezuela (nine), Ecuador (eight) and Brazil (seven) round out the Top 6, which would qualify for World Cup 2026.
The next World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
veryGood! (973)
Related
- Michigan lawmaker who was arrested in June loses reelection bid in Republican primary
- 'Carterland' puts a positive spin on an oft-disparaged presidency
- Why America has grown to love judging the plumpest bears during Fat Bear Week
- Lil Tay makes grand return with new music video following death hoax
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- 'Carterland' puts a positive spin on an oft-disparaged presidency
- Damar Hamlin plays in first regular-season NFL game since cardiac arrest
- UK Treasury chief says he’ll hike the minimum wage but rules out tax cuts while inflation stays high
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner heat up dating rumors with joint Gucci campaign
Ranking
- From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
- Spain’s women’s team players Putellas, Rodríguez and Paredes appear before a judge in Rubiales probe
- Gavin Newsom picks Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat
- Powerball jackpot grows as no winners were drawn Saturday. When is the next drawing?
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Wind power project in New Jersey would be among farthest off East Coast, company says
- Black man’s 1845 lynching in downtown Indianapolis recounted with historical marker
- Spain’s king begins a new round of talks in search of a candidate to form government
Recommendation
Giants, Lions fined $200K for fights in training camp joint practices
Taco Bell worker hospitalized after angry customer opens fire inside Charlotte restaurant
Deputy wounded, man killed in gunfire exchange during Knoxville domestic disturbance call
Missouri high school teacher put on leave over porn site: I knew this day was coming
Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
Taco Bell worker hospitalized after angry customer opens fire inside Charlotte restaurant
Cambodian court bars environmental activists from traveling to Sweden to receive ‘Alternative Nobel’
Man nears settlement with bars he says overserved a driver accused of killing his new bride