Why is Lionel Messi not playing in Colombia vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match?

FILE PHOTO: Lionel Messi has been absent from both club and international matches since the final of the 2024 Copa America. | Image Source: AP

FILE PHOTO: Lionel Messi has not played for either his club or national team since the final of the Copa America 2024. | Photo Credit: AP

Lionel Messi will not join the Argentina team for the FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL qualifiers against Colombia on Tuesday at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla.

The 37-year-old player was left out of the 28-member team announced by head coach Lionel Scaloni last month for the upcoming qualifying games against Chile and Colombia.

Messi has been absent from both his club and national team since he sustained a severe ankle injury on July 14, during Argentina's 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final.

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He's presently on the mend with his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami, and has started practicing again, though only in a limited way. Inter Miami's coach, Tata Martino, mentioned to The Athletic that even though Messi is back in training, he has not yet received medical clearance to participate in games.

Martino mentioned that there won't be any alterations to the schedule, and Messi is expected to be back on the field before the Inter Miami regular season wraps up with their match against the New England Revolution on October 19.

Argentina is leading the qualifying table with 18 points, having secured victories in six out of their seven matches played so far. Meanwhile, Colombia remains unbeaten and holds third place with 13 points from the same number of games, which includes three wins.

The six leading teams from the group at the end of the qualifying games will earn a spot in the World Cup finals, which will take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Meanwhile, the team that finishes in seventh place will have to play in a qualifying match against teams from other confederations.