Messi out of Argentina squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers

An injury has ruled captain Lionel Messi out of Argentina's squad announced by the country's football federation on Monday for next month's qualifiers against Chile and Colombia for the 2026 World Cup.

Messi, 37, was not included in the 28-man squad after suffering an ankle injury during the Copa America final in the United States last month.

The Inter Miami player is currently undergoing rehabilitation while with his American club.

Goalkeeper Franco Armani was absent from the squad, along with striker Angel Di Maria, who announced his retirement from international football after winning the Copa America.

Coach Lionel Scaloni called up midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez and striker Valentin Castellanos for the first time, along with young players such as Alejandro Garnacho, Valentin Carbone, Valentin Barco and Matias Soli.

Argentina host Chile at the Monumental on September 5, five days before playing Colombia in Barranquilla.

Argentina's goalkeeping squad included: Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atalanta) and Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).

In defence: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), German Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon) and Valentin Barco (Brighton & Hove Albion).

In the middle: Guido Rodriguez (West Ham United), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur), Ezequiel Fernandez (Al-Qadisiyah), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina) and Leandro Paredes (Roma).

In attack: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Matias Soli (Roma), Juliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Valentin Carboni (Marseille), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter) and Valentin Castellanos (Lazio).

(Agencies)