Injured Lionel Messi absent from Argentina squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Lionel Messi, the star player of Argentina, will be absent from the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia due to an ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final against Colombia, where Argentina emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline. As a result of Messi’s unavailability, coach Lionel Scaloni has recalled Paulo Dybala to the national squad on Monday.