Rhino: Agencies – World champion Lionel Messi has been left out of the Argentina squad for the two matches against Chile and Colombia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to injury, opening the door for Roma striker Paulo Dybala to be called up.
The Argentine national team said, today, Monday, via its account on the “X” website, that Dybala’s name was “added to the group.”
Messi has been sidelined since he was injured in the middle of last month, during the Copa America final, but that did not prevent his country from retaining the continental title, beating Colombia 1-0.
After announcing his international retirement, winger Ángel Di María was left out of coach Lionel Scaloni’s roster, who utilized a youthful element.
Argentina tops the group with 15 points points from six games, two points ahead of second-placed Uruguay, while Colombia is third with 12 points.