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.

Without Lionel Messi available for the March international break, Lionel Scaloni will rely on five replacements for Messi.

Lionel Messi's injury occurred during Inter Miami's win over Atlanta United in the Major League Soccer. Argentina will play Brazil and Uruguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.