World Cup Qualifiers: Lionel Messi Returns to Argentina Squad After Injury

Argentina's 28-player preliminary squad for the World Cup qualifiers includes Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, and other star players. Get the full list of players.

Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina's 28-player preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in June. Messi missed the team's March fixtures against Uruguay and Brazil due to an injury.

Argentina, the defending champions, have already secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup. They won 1-0 against Uruguay in March and later thrashed Brazil 4-1. The team will face Chile and Colombia in June.

After being forced to withdraw from the March matches due to a groin strain, Messi wrote in an Instagram story, “It’s a shame to miss these two very special matches with the national team against Uruguay and Brazil.”

Lionel Messi expressed his disappointment at missing Argentina's matches against Uruguay and Brazil, saying, “As always, I wanted to be there, but at the last moment, a not-so-serious injury that forces me to rest for a while before returning to play kept me out.”

After recovering from the injury, Messi returned to action for Inter Miami and has scored six goals for the club since his comeback. The 37-year-old will play in the upcoming Club World Cup, starting with Inter Miami's match on June 14.

Messi's schedule is set to get busier in June, with Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia on June 6-10, followed by the Club World Cup.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has included midfielder Nicolas Dominguez, who last played for the national team in 2021, in the preliminary squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

#SelecciónMayor Prelista de convocados del exterior para la doble Fecha FIFA de Eliminatorias 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/hQxQzibkxd

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 15, 2025

Defender Valentin Barco and attacker Valentin Castellanos, who haven't played for Argentina since last year, have also been named in the 28-player squad. They'll join familiar faces like Lionel Messi in the team set to face Chile and Colombia in June.

Argentina's Preliminary Squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Argentina's 28-player preliminary squad includes a mix of experienced players and younger talent. The squad features goalkeepers Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), and Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven).

The defense includes Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), and Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), alongside younger players like Valentin Barco (Strasbourg).

The midfield is led by Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), and Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), with players like Nicolas Dominguez (Nottingham Forest) and Thiago Almada (Atlanta United was inaccurately replaced with Lyon).

The forward line is headed by Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City inaccurately replaced with Atletico), and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), with other attacking options like Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) and Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina).