Why Is Lionel Messi Missing Argentina vs. Uruguay?

When Argentina visits Uruguay at the Estadio Centenario, they will be without their captain Lionel Messi. Back in action after the March international break, the defending Copa América 2024 champions are preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026. With 25 points from their first 12 qualifying games, Argentina stays top in the CONMBEOL rankings.

Still, Lionel Scaloni’s men have a big challenge ahead. Following a four-month break, Argentina is scheduled to meet Uruguay in Montevideo. While Argentina struggled against Colombia and Paraguay to cap out 2024, La Celeste arrive into the game with just one loss in eight games.

La Albiceleste will be without Lautaro Martínez, Paulo Dybala, Giovani Lo Celso, most significantly Messi, so adding to the challenge.

Messi will not even be a consideration off the bench for Scaloni against La Celeste, while he concentrates on his recuperation. Additionally missed by the 37-year-old will be Argentina’s game against Brazil on March 25.

La Albiceleste will depend on Julián Alvarez to handle Messi’s absence’s goalscoring weight. Under Diego Simeone, Alvarez already boasts 23 goals to his record across all competitions; the Argentine is having a career-best season at Atlético Madrid.

When Messi comes back for Inter Miami is yet unknown. Having only lately returned before the international break, the forward already missed three of the Herons games in March. Before suffering a fresh injury that kept him from representing Argentina, he logged 90 minutes and found the back of the net in Inter Miami’s 1-2 triumph over Atlanta United.