Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup football qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. The Inter Miami star suffered an adductor muscle injury during his club’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on March 16, 2025.

Inter Miami Confirms Lionel Messi’s Injury Details

An MRI scan on March 17 confirmed Messi has a low-grade adductor muscle injury. The 37-year-old forward showed no immediate signs of distress during the match. He even scored Inter Miami’s first goal with a clinical chip.

How serious is this injury? Medical experts suggest low-grade adductor strains typically need 2-6 weeks for recovery. This timeframe means Messi could return for Argentina’s next qualifiers in June against Chile and Colombia.

“These injuries can be tricky for athletes in their late 30s,” said Dr. Ramon Cugat, a renowned sports physician. “Players face high risk of re-injury without proper rehabilitation.”

Argentina’s World Cup Qualifying Campaign Without Messi

The reigning world champions currently lead the CONMEBOL standings. They have 25 points from 12 matches, five points ahead of second-placed Uruguay. They’ll face Uruguay away on March 20. Then they’ll host Brazil on March 25. Both are critical fixtures against their fiercest rivals.

Can Argentina cope without their captain? History suggests they might. In September 2024, the team secured a 1-0 win over Chile without Messi. Lautaro Martínez scored the decisive goal in that match.

Coach Lionel Scaloni has prepared for this possibility. He has integrated younger players and developed tactics that don’t solely rely on Messi’s brilliance. According to betting experts, Argentina remains favored against both Uruguay and Brazil despite Messi’s absence. The odds stand at 2.1 and 1.8 respectively.

Club vs. Country Priorities for Lionel Messi

Messi’s injury highlights the growing tension between club and international commitments. Inter Miami faces a packed schedule in 2025. The team competes in the MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup, and prepares for the inaugural expanded Club World Cup.

Will Messi prioritize club recovery over country? Many Argentine fans ask this question. At 37, managing his workload has become increasingly important. Inter Miami’s medical staff will likely approach his rehabilitation with caution.

“When I’m injured, it hurts me not to play for Argentina,” Messi said in a social media statement. “But I need to be smart about my recovery at this stage of my career.”

What This Means for Messi’s International Future

Despite his age, Messi remains crucial for Argentina. He has scored 112 goals in 191 international appearances. His absence creates opportunities for players like Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez to step up. Roma striker Paulo Dybala is also sidelined with a muscle injury. Replacing Messi’s leadership and creativity remains nearly impossible.

The 2026 World Cup could be his last major tournament. This makes every qualifier increasingly significant. Argentina’s comfortable position provides some breathing room. However, momentum in qualifying campaigns can shift quickly.

For now, both Argentina and Messi focus on his recovery. They hope he’ll return for the June qualifiers. Until then, the world’s greatest player will watch from the sidelines as his teammates aim to maintain their lead in CONMEBOL’s qualifying race.