LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - NOVEMBER 22: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring a goal goal from the penalty spot during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on November 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Pawel Andrachiewicz/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
Argentine wizard Lionel Messi has returned to the national team for their upcoming matches against Venezuela and Bolivia in the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Messi, aged 37, missed Argentina’s qualifiers last month due to an ankle injury sustained during the Copa América final against Colombia in mid-July. After recovering, he rejoined his club, Inter Miami, last month.
Under Messi’s captaincy, Argentina currently leads the CONMEBOL standings for the next World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The top six teams from the 10 participating nations will qualify directly for the tournament.
Messi previously led Argentina to its third World Cup victory during the 2022 tournament held in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has been left out of coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the match against Venezuela on October 10 and the clash against Bolivia five days later.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee suspended Aston Villa’s goalkeeper for two matches due to his aggressive behavior during Argentina’s qualifiers against Chile and Colombia last month.
