Lionel Messi is still on the Argentina team list and preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after missing five of Inter Miami’s past six games.
The preparation schedule for two games against Peru (October 17) and Paraguay (October 12) was released by coach Lionel Scaloni on October 5. Messi is still there, despite the fact that he is still recovering from his injuries.
Since playing for Argentina early last month, the 36-year-old striker has experienced physical issues. He missed the game against Atlanta United after getting back to Inter Miami, and he suffered an injury in the following game against Toronto FC. He then missed four more games, including the US National Cup championship game, which Houston Dynamo won 1-2.
On September 27, Messi sat outside to watch the US National Cup final. Image: AP
On September 27, Messi sat outside to watch the US National Cup final. Image: AP
Inter Miami went 0-2 and 3-3 in their five games without Messi. The Florida club gave up on getting tickets to the MLS Cup play-off round after falling to Chicago Fire 1-4 on October 4. Prior to that, Messi participated in 11 games, contributed to five goals and five assists, and helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup.
Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati will clash on October 7. Whether Messi will participate in this game before going back to Argentina for the World Cup qualifying matches is currently unknown. After the defeat against Chicago Fire, coach Tata Martino commented, “I think Messi is about to play again.” As we previously stated, we will assess him in the following two days to determine whether or not he is qualified to play. The most crucial thing is that he heals from his harm and gradually regains his best shape.
Messi struck a free kick in the opening qualifying game to give Argentina a 1-0 victory over Ecuador. He traveled to Bolovia for the second game with the team, but owing to overload, he was unable to participate. Argentina yet had enough to defeat the host team 3-0.
With six points, Argentina is ranked second in South America for the 2026 World Cup. Brazil has six points as well, but takes the lead due to a greater differential. The best six teams from the 10 teams competing in the South American qualifications move on to the championship game. Teams from other continents will be vying for tickets against the seventh-placed team.
Argentina, the reigning champions, took part in the qualifying round. After 36 years of waiting, Messi assisted the team in winning the championship last year when they defeated France 4-2 in the decisive penalty shootout. He took home the Silver Shoe, the Golden Ball, and the Best Player awards at the World Cup.
Call-up list for the Argentina national team
Others include Franco Armani (River Plate), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Walter Benitez (PSV), Juan Musso (Atalanta), and Walter Benitez.
Here: Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Lucas Esquivel (Athletico Paranaense), German Pezzella (Betis), Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham Forest), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina), Marco Pellegrino (Milan), and Marcos Acuna (Seville).
Leandro Paredes of Roma, Rodrigo De Paul of Atletico Madrid, Guido Rodriguez of Betis, Facundo Buonanotte of Brighton, Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea, Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool, Exequiel Palacios of Bayer Leverkusen, Bruno Zapelli of Atletico Paranaense, and Giovani Lo Celso of Tottenham are the players.
Title: Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Facundo Farias (Inter Miami), Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Carlos Alcaraz (Southampton, England), and Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina).