Lionel Messi did not make the final list on Monday, therefore he will not be traveling with Argentina to their World Cup qualifying matches against Brazil and Uruguay this month.
Despite doubts about his health, the 37-year-old was included in the original roster of 33 players on March 2. Messi watched from the sidelines to prevent a possible injury after missing three Inter Miami games due to load management.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano declared Messi will be rested due to load management following a hectic start to the 2025 MLS season, which included three games in seven days.
Mascherano stressed that instead of keeping Messi out of every game as a precaution, the player did not suffer an injury.
After missing three games in all, the forward made a comeback in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 series against Cavalier FC, a Jamaican team.
After playing the entire ninety minutes against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, he was anticipated to be included in the most recent squad.
“We made an effort to limit Messi’s overload so that it would not get worse. We did our best to deal with it. Fortunately, we managed to keep things under control and it did not result in any injuries or serious consequences. Since he is doing better today, we have decided to begin providing him some minutes. Before Sunday’s game, Mascherano declared, “There is no secret in this.”
The coach later revealed that Inter Miami doctors were in constant communication with the Argentina national team medical staff to stay informed on Messi’s status and be able to plan accordingly.
“Obviously the Argentinian national team doctors are in contact with the doctors here and they are the ones who specifically talk about that. I haven’t spoken with the coaching staff, but if they have any consultation, I will talk to them. I don’t think it will be necessary because the doctors are in contact all time.”
Messi will now sit out the two World Cup qualifiers March 21 and 25, with hopes of returning to the pitch with Inter Miami on March 29 when facing the Philadelphia Union in a regular season Major League Soccer match.
