(PHOTOS) Messi’s Emotional Message After Missing Argentina’s Matches Against Uruguay and Brazil

03/18/2025 - 12:01 AM

- by José Escobar

After it was made official that he would not be available for Argentina in the two crucial matches they will face in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi sent an emotional message to all those who lament his absence.

Messi’s Message After Missing the FIFA Date with Argentina

“It’s a shame to miss these two very special matches with the national team against Uruguay and Brazil. As always, I wanted to be there, but at the last moment, a not-so-serious injury that forces me to rest for a while before returning to play kept me out. From here, I’ll be cheering and supporting as just another fan. Vamos Argentina!” Messi wrote in one of his Instagram stories.

Why isn’t Messi playing for Argentina?

Argentina’s No. 10 featured in Inter Miami’s latest MLS match against Atlanta United, where he felt discomfort at the 64th minute. Although he managed to finish the game, the negative sensation didn’t completely go away.

The last time Messi missed a game with Argentina

This isn’t a new situation for Lionel Messi, who recently missed two matches with the Argentina national team during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

In September of last year, the reigning World Cup champions faced Chile at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, securing a 3-0 victory, before traveling to Colombia to play at the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla, where they lost 2-1—both matches without Messi.

Other absences for Argentina

In addition to Messi’s absence due to a left adductor muscle injury, suffered during Inter Miami’s win over Atlanta United, Scaloni has also ruled out Paulo Dybala (Roma), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), and Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate) due to injuries.

Furthermore, Scaloni excluded Francisco Ortega (Olympiakos), Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City), and Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) for tactical and technical reasons.

Despite speculation about more call-ups from the domestic league, the final squad includes just one player from Argentine football: Germán Pezzella from River Plate.