The Argentina squad for September’s World Cup qualifiers has been announced, and there is a significant absence from Lionel Scaloni’s squad. Lionel Messi’s name is nowhere to be seen. Messi has not played for Inter Miami since being withdrawn from the competition Copa America final in July with an ankle injury and this absence shows the seriousness of it. No real timetable has been given for his return to the field, but after failing to appear in any of Miami’s Leagues Cup matches and now missing the qualifiers, it could be mid-September before Messi sees the field again.
While it would be understandable if the 37-year-old wanted to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico for Argentina, the accumulation of leg injuries does raise the question of whether he will actually be able to do so. it on its own terms. Since Messi signed with Miami in the summer of 2023, there has been a constant tension between playing as much as possible for Miami in Major League Soccer, complete with the extreme travel for matches and varied climates and pitches, and physical fitness. Combine that with international breaks flying through South America and that’s a lot to do for anyone, but especially someone with the miles of Messi’s legs.
Last season, his first in Miami, he missed the US Open Cup final and crucial matches that ultimately caused Inter Miami to miss the play-offs last season. Messi has found himself in a similar situation this season. To his credit, head coach Tata Martino has a much better side this season and he has shown that in his performances without Messi. When Messi has not started in 14 MLS games, Miami has an 8-3-3 record with 24 goals scored and 24 goals allowed.
If Messi is actually going to make the World Cup, he can’t remain a regular starter for Miami while he tries to do that, and that’s where those numbers come into play. The Herons are showing they can win without their talisman and are showing impressive recruiting power to get other stars around Messi, and that should continue. As he enters the twilight of his career, it will be crucial that Messi listens to his body and takes more days off.
It would be a shame to see a legend of football unable to retire on his own terms, but if a few more injuries crop up, that’s exactly where Messi could end up. Leg injuries are among the worst a footballer can suffer and he has missed a lot of time as a result in recent seasons. Continuing at this pace is not sustainable, so it will be important for Messi to determine his priorities. He can give everything to Inter Miami to lead them to glory, or take a back seat to extend his international career, but it doesn’t seem like he’ll be able to do both.
There is no right decision to make here, but making one will allow Messi to end his career on his own terms, which a legend of his stature deserves.
