Rhino: Agencies – Lionel Messi has been left out of Argentina’s squad for two matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Coach Lionel Scaloni announced the 28-man Tango squad to face Chile on 6 September and Colombia on 10 September.

Messi’s absence from the squad comes due to his failure to recover from a ligament injury in his right ankle, which he suffered in the Copa America 2024 final, which saw Argentina win the title for the sixteenth time in its history.

The 37-year-old has been absent from Inter Miami’s matches in recent times.