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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Workload being managed by Inter Miami</li><li>Still picked up a knock in MLS action</li><li>Must sit out 2026 World Cup qualifiers</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

‘Sad’ Lionel Messi breaks silence on withdrawal from Argentina squad as Inter Miami superstar delivers emotional update on latest injury

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Uruguay

Argentina

<p>The Albiceleste have confirmed that their captain <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-left-off-argentina-roster-for-conmebol-world-cup-qualifiers-against-uruguay-and-brazil/bltd4bb786ac4b9c2ab#cs93e23890bc82bd64" target="_blank">will not be reporting for 2026 World Cup qualifying duty</a> due to “discomfort in his adductor region”. As a result, Messi will play no part in meetings with arch-rivals Uruguay and Brazil.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>He will be a big miss for Lionel Scaloni’s side, with important points in the CONMEBOL section of qualification up for grabs. Every effort had been made at club level to ensure that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-luis-suarez-playing-lionel-messi-rested-inter-miami-selection-calls-explained-ex-barcelona-superstars-treated-differently-mls/blt8d9b2e957c15341c" target="_blank">Messi was not pushed beyond breaking point</a> in the early stages of Inter Miami’s 2025 campaign.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has seen plenty of rest, as his workload is managed, but a muscle complaint was still picked up in a MLS clash with Atlanta United – a game that saw <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-lobs-goalkeeper-inter-miami-goal-return-mls/blt52caedcecf17a5c5" target="_blank">Messi register another stunning solo goal</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The 37-year-old has posted on social media of being denied the opportunity to add to his collection of 191 international caps: “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, Argentina!”</p><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltc10a0ec670422666/messi%20withdraw.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltc10a0ec670422666/messi%20withdraw.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltc10a0ec670422666/messi%20withdraw.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Lionel Messi Argentina withdrawal 2025" data-source="Instagram" data-copyright="Instagram" data-portal-copyright="Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:bltc10a0ec670422666;width:464;height:737"></picture>

WHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID

<p>While Argentine will always prefer to have Messi at their disposal, as the talismanic leader of his country, they are sat five points clear at the top of the South American World Cup qualification table – meaning that they are well on course to book tickets for the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-messi-lifts-world-cup-trophy-argentina-thrilling-penalty-shootout-france-goat/blt38b30d6ba3692fc1" target="_blank">defence of their global crown</a> in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

‘Sad’ Lionel Messi breaks silence on withdrawal from Argentina squad as Inter Miami superstar delivers emotional update on latest injury | Goal.com US

Lionel Messi has delivered an update on his withdrawal from the latest Argentina squad, with the Inter Miami superstar nursing a “small injury”.

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