Why is Lionel Messi not playing for Argentina against Uruguay? | OneFootball

The race to book a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues across South America during the March international period, with world champions Argentina leading the pack as things stand.

La Albiceleste are currently top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table and can secure a berth at next summer's tournament should they sit 13 points ahead of seventh place after meetings with Uruguay and Brazil.

Two seismic encounters will be fought without eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, with the 37-year-old not named in Argentina's squad for the March period.

Here's why Messi will not be involved over the next two matches.

Why is Lionel Messi not playing for Argentina against Uruguay or Bolivia?

Lionel Messi sustained an injury setback last weekend / Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Argentina's record appearance-maker and goalscorer was omitted from the March squad by Lionel Scaloni, with the Inter Miami forward suffering an injury setback during the MLS clash with Atlanta United on Sunday evening.

Messi scored and completed the entirety of the 2-1 victory but it's since been revealed that he suffered an adductor injury. He's not expected to be sidelined for long but will miss upcoming matches with Uruguay on Friday and Brazil next Wednesday.

An Inter Miami statement read on Monday: "Messi underwent an MRI this morning to assess the extent of the discomfort in his adductor region, which he experienced during last night's match against Atlanta United.

"The examination's findings confirmed the presence of a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle. His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition."

Messi added on Instagram: "It's a shame to miss these special games with the Argentinian national team against Brazil and Uruguay. Like always, I wanted to be there but at the last minute an injury that isn't that important forced me to stop for a while before returning to play kept me out. But I will be supporting and cheering from here like a fan. Let's go Argentina!"

When will Lionel Messi play for Argentina next?

Lionel Messi will have to wait some time before donning national team colours / Marcelo Endelli/GettyImages

Messi will have to wait several months before returning to international action with Argentina, who next take to the field at the beginning of June. La Albiceleste continue their World Cup qualification campaign against Chile, before clashing with Colombia several days later.

Those battles should provide Messi the opportunity to take his appearance tally to 184 for Argentina, while he could also add to his 112 goals with the national team.