Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after suffering a groin strain in Inter Miami’s victory over Atlanta at the weekend, his club has confirmed. Inter Miami said in a statement on Monday that a scan had revealed Messi suffered a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle” in the 2-1 win on Sunday.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been left out of Argentina's squad for their next two World Cup qualifiers.The 37-year-old returned to Miami's starting line-up for their Major League Soccer win over Atlanta United but reportedly picked up an injury during Sunday's game.

The workload of the 37-year-old Argentina captain has been managed since the start of the Major League Soccer season.