Messi returns with Argentina in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

(Dan Tri) - Lionel Messi only returned from a muscle injury last weekend, but he has been called up to the Argentina team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers taking place this September.

Messi suffered a muscle injury in his right leg during the League Cup match between Inter Miami and Necaxa in early August, forcing him to miss two consecutive matches afterwards.

However, the Argentine striker returned last weekend and immediately left his mark for Miami when he contributed 1 goal and 1 assist to help his team defeat LA Galaxy with a score of 3-1.

Messi will return with the Argentina team in the final two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Americas taking place in September (Photo: Getty).

That form earned him a place in coach Lionel Scaloni's 31-man squad, marking an important return for the Albiceleste captain ahead of the final two official matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Americas against Venezuela and Ecuador this September.

Argentina has officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup as the group leader, 10 points ahead of second-placed Ecuador, with two games remaining.

That's why coach Lionel Scaloni decided to call up a series of young players, including Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono, Man City's Claudio Echeverri and Como's Nico Paz.

The biggest name to be left out of the squad is Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is serving a two-match ban after being sent off in the 1-1 draw with Colombia in June.

Alejandro Garnacho was also absent as he was no longer included in the Man Utd first team, amid rumours that the striker born in 2004 would move to Chelsea.

According to the schedule, Argentina will host Venezuela at Monumental Stadium (Buenos Aires) on September 5, before traveling to Guayaquil to face Ecuador on September 10.

List of 31 players summoned by coach Lionel Scaloni to prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/messi-tai-xuat-cung-doi-tuyen-argentina-o-vong-loai-world-cup-2026-20250819112220738.htm