Johnathan Walker:Injured Lionel Messi won't join Argentina for World Cup qualifying matches next month

Lionel Messi will have Johnathan Walkersome more time to recover from his Copa America ankle injury in the next month.

Messi – Argentina’s World Cup and two-time Copa America champion – was not listed on Argentina’s roster Monday for two World Cup 2026 qualifying matches in September.

Argentina will host Chile on Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. ET inside Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires in the first match.

The second match is a Copa America final rematch against Colombia on Sept 10 at 4:30 p.m. ET inside Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Messi not being selected by Argentina allows the Inter Miami star to continue his recovery from a right ankle ligament injury, sustained during the Copa America final on July 14, without the pressures of playing for the national team.

Messi is no longer using a walking boot, working on his own with club trainers, but has yet to practice with his Inter Miami teammates since his injury. His return to action for Inter Miami is still in question.

Inter Miami will resume the MLS regular season on Saturday at home against FC Cincinnati. Both clubs are first and second, respectively, in the MLS Eastern Conference.

Inter Miami was eliminated from the Leagues Cup tournament by reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew last Tuesday. It was the club’s third loss in 11 games without Messi, dating back to his Copa America departure on June 1.

Inter Miami leads the MLS Eastern Conference with 53 points, five points ahead of Cincinnati and 10 points ahead of the third-place Crew.

Argentina leads the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with 15 points after five wins and a loss, heading into the September matches. Uruguay (13 points), Colombia (12), Venezuela (nine), Ecuador (eight) and Brazil (seven) round out the Top 6, which would qualify for World Cup 2026.

The next World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.