Lionel Messi's first message after being ruled out of the Argentina National Team

Lionel Messi will not be available for Argentina's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. The national team captain confirmed on social media that an injury will keep him out of these crucial fixtures, disappointing both fans and Lionel Scaloni's squad.

Messi confirms his absence with a message to the fans

Through his social media accounts, Messi expressed his frustration at missing two key matches for Argentina.

"Such a shame to miss these two special matches with the national team against Uruguay and Brazil. As always, I wanted to be there, but at the last moment, a minor injury that forces me to rest for a while before playing again left me out. From here, I will be cheering and supporting like any other fan. Vamos Argentina!"

His absence is a significant blow for Scaloni's team, which will face two direct rivals in the race for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

What injury does Messi have?

Although Messi himself reassured that it is not a serious injury, his absence raises concerns. In recent matches for Inter Miami, the Argentine captain had been struggling with minor physical issues, and his club opted to manage his playing time carefully.

While the exact diagnosis has not been confirmed, reports suggest it could be muscle overload or a slight discomfort that requires rest to prevent further problems.

The manager will need to decide whether to stick with his usual formation or make tactical changes in Messi's absence.

The impact of his absence on the national team

Messi's absence is not just a loss in footballing terms but also in leadership. His presence on the pitch is invaluable, especially in high-stakes matches like these.

However, Argentina have shown they can cope without him. During the last Copa America and the World Cup, the squad had moments when they played without their captain and managed to step up as a team.

When will Messi return to action?

Although no exact return date has been set, Messi is expected to be back in action after the international break without major issues. His focus will be on recovering fully to continue his season with Inter Miami and ensure he is in top form for Argentina’s 2024 fixtures.

For now, the captain will be watching from the sidelines, but as he said himself, he will be supporting like any other fan.