Messi Injury Blow Threatens Argentina World Cup Qualifying Run

Article arrow_drop_down
Messi Injury Blow Threatens Argentina World Cup Qualifying Run

Lionel Messi will not participate in Argentina’s upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying matches due to a groin injury sustained during Inter Miami’s weekend victory over Atlanta, his club announced.

In a statement released Monday, Inter Miami revealed that medical scans confirmed Messi had suffered a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle” during Sunday’s 2-1 win. The club provided no specific timeline for his recovery.

“His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition,” Inter Miami stated.

The 37-year-old star had recently returned to action for Inter Miami, scoring as a substitute in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match after missing three previous games.

Argentina must now face Uruguay this Friday and Brazil on March 25 without their captain. The world champions currently lead the South American qualifying group by five points ahead of their match against Uruguay in Montevideo, and could secure qualification for next year’s tournament in their upcoming fixtures.

With six teams qualifying directly for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Argentina sits in a strong position after 12 rounds of matches. Messi has been instrumental in their campaign, leading the competition as top scorer with six goals.

The reigning champions will also be without injured Roma striker Paulo Dybala and River Plate fullback Paulo Montiel for these crucial qualifiers.

Their opponents Brazil, currently sitting fifth in the standings and seven points behind Argentina, face their own key absence as 33-year-old Neymar continues to recover from a thigh injury, forcing him to delay his national team comeback.

About the author

Trump Cuts to US Media Outlets Celebrated by Chinese State Press
trending_flat
Trump Cuts to US Media Outlets Celebrated by Chinese State Press

Chinese state media has welcomed Donald Trump's decision to cut funding for Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, news outlets known for reporting on authoritarian regimes. The executive order has affected thousands of employees, with approximately 1,300 staff at Voice Of America (VOA) placed on paid leave since Friday. While critics call it a setback for democracy, Beijing's state newspaper Global Times condemned VOA for its "appalling track record" in reporting on China, saying it has "now been discarded by its own government like a dirty rag." The White House defended the action, stating it will "ensure that taxpayers are no longer on the hook for radical propaganda." Trump's cuts target the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which receives congressional funding and supports news outlets including VOA, Radio Free Asia (RFA), and Radio Free Europe. These organizations have […]

Hollywood Giant Behind Matrix and Joker Files Bankruptcy After Warner Bros Feud
trending_flat
Hollywood Giant Behind Matrix and Joker Files Bankruptcy After Warner Bros Feud

Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, the production company responsible for major franchises including The Matrix, Joker, and Ocean's, has filed for bankruptcy protection in a Delaware court. The company attributes its financial collapse to two primary factors: an ongoing legal dispute with former partner Warner Bros (WB) and unsuccessful investments in independent film and television production. As part of its restructuring strategy, Village Roadshow is proposing to sell its extensive film library for $365 million. Court documents reveal the company's debts range between $500 million and $1 billion. The relationship between Village Roadshow and Warner Bros deteriorated in early 2022 following the release of "The Matrix Resurrections" on HBO Max. Village Roadshow alleged that WB had excluded it from rights to sequels and prequels of their jointly produced films. Chief Restructuring Officer Keith Maib stated in court filings that "the WB […]

Indian PM Modi Joins Trumps Truth Social Platform In Surprise Move
trending_flat
Indian PM Modi Joins Trumps Truth Social Platform In Surprise Move

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become one of the few world leaders to join Truth Social, the social media platform owned by US President Donald Trump. Modi's first post on Monday featured a photo with Trump from his 2019 visit to Houston, Texas, with Modi expressing he was "delighted" to join the platform. Trump launched Truth Social in February 2022 following his loss in the presidential election to Joe Biden and temporary bans from major social networks like Twitter and Facebook, which accused him of inciting violence. As of 03:30 GMT, Modi had accumulated 21,500 followers and was following only Trump and US Vice President JD Vance. On Monday, Trump shared a link to Modi's interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, where the Indian prime minister discussed various topics including his life journey, the 2002 Gujarat riots, and India-China relations. […]

Messi Injury Blow Threatens Argentina World Cup Qualifying Run
trending_flat
Messi Injury Blow Threatens Argentina World Cup Qualifying Run

Lionel Messi will not participate in Argentina's upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying matches due to a groin injury sustained during Inter Miami's weekend victory over Atlanta, his club announced. In a statement released Monday, Inter Miami revealed that medical scans confirmed Messi had suffered a "low-grade injury in the adductor muscle" during Sunday's 2-1 win. The club provided no specific timeline for his recovery. "His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition," Inter Miami stated. The 37-year-old star had recently returned to action for Inter Miami, scoring as a substitute in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match after missing three previous games. Argentina must now face Uruguay this Friday and Brazil on March 25 without their captain. The world champions currently lead the South American qualifying group by five points ahead of their match against […]

Killer Tornadoes Sweep Through US Leaving Dozens Dead And Homes Destroyed
trending_flat
Killer Tornadoes Sweep Through US Leaving Dozens Dead And Homes Destroyed

At least 34 people have died across the United States after devastating tornadoes tore through several southeastern states, destroying homes and overturning vehicles. Missouri reported the highest death toll with 12 fatalities. In Kansas, a dust storm triggered a massive crash involving more than 55 vehicles, resulting in at least eight deaths. Overnight, over 250,000 properties across seven states lost power, including Michigan, Missouri, and Illinois, according to PowerOutage tracker. Weather authorities warn additional severe weather is expected, with tornado watches issued for eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee, and the western Florida Panhandle. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed six deaths as multiple tornadoes moved across his state. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flash flooding and flood warnings for central Mississippi, eastern Louisiana, western Tennessee, and parts of Alabama and Arkansas, cautioning these floods could prove deadly. Multiple […]

Trump Freezes Voice of America Funding Overnight Leaving 1300 Staff in Limbo
trending_flat
Trump Freezes Voice of America Funding Overnight Leaving 1300 Staff in Limbo

Donald Trump has issued an executive order drastically reducing operations at Voice of America, the global, independent and federally funded news organization. The president's order targets VOA's parent organization, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also funds non-profit entities like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, originally established to counter communism. The order directs agency heads to "reduce performance... to the minimum presence and function required by law." Mike Abramowitz, VOA's director, reported that he and nearly his entire staff of 1,300 employees have been placed on paid leave. Abramowitz emphasized that the order prevents VOA from fulfilling its "vital mission... especially critical today, when America's adversaries, like Iran, China, and Russia, are sinking billions of dollars into creating false narratives to discredit the United States." The Trump administration has not provided an explanation, and it remains […]

Related

Usyk Forced to Face Surprise Challenger as Boxing Dream Fight Collapses
trending_flat
Usyk Forced to Face Surprise Challenger as Boxing Dream Fight Collapses

Oleksandr Usyk must begin negotiations to defend his WBO heavyweight championship against Joseph Parker, according to an official order from the boxing organization. This directive potentially derails British fighter Daniel Dubois's hopes for a rematch with the Ukrainian champion. The WBO announced Thursday that Usyk, who currently holds the WBC and WBA titles as well, has 30 days to reach an agreement with New Zealand's Parker for a mandatory defense or face a purse bid situation. Parker successfully defended his WBO interim title in Riyadh recently, stopping Martin Bakole in the second round after Dubois withdrew due to illness. Instead of rescheduling against Parker, IBF champion Dubois had been pursuing another bout with Usyk, who knocked him out in the ninth round in August 2023. The 27-year-old Dubois was reportedly in discussions for a fight with Usyk that would unify […]

England Star Wood Sidelined Just Before Major Ashes Showdown
trending_flat
England Star Wood Sidelined Just Before Major Ashes Showdown

Mark Wood is expected to miss England's complete home Test schedule this summer after surgery on his left knee. The 35-year-old fast bowler will be unavailable until late July, approximately when the five-Test India series concludes. This means Wood's next potential Test appearance would be during the Ashes tour in Australia starting in November. The Durham paceman's absence represents a significant setback for England during a year featuring two premier Test series. Coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, who favor express pace in their bowling attack, have now lost their quickest bowler for the summer home fixtures, raising questions about Wood's availability for the Australian tour. With Wood considered England's premier Test seamer, his injury further questions the decision to play him in the Champions Trophy. Fellow pacers face their challenges: Jofra Archer hasn't played Test cricket since 2021 […]

Liverpool Boss Slot Banned After Everton Drama As VAR Controversy Erupts
trending_flat
Liverpool Boss Slot Banned After Everton Drama As VAR Controversy Erupts

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has received a two-game touchline ban from the Football Association following his red card in the match against Everton. Slot was dismissed for approaching referee Michael Oliver on the pitch after the 2-2 Premier League draw at Goodison Park on February 12. He accepted the charge and was also fined £70,000. The ban means Slot will be absent from the touchline for Liverpool's home fixture against Newcastle and the subsequent match against Southampton on March 8. However, he will be permitted to resume his touchline duties for the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Paris St-Germain on March 5. Liverpool assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff was also disciplined, receiving a two-game ban and a £7,000 fine. Both clubs faced financial penalties, with Liverpool fined £65,000 and Everton £50,000 for failing to control their players during the heated […]

Radio Host Fired After Making Offensive Comments On Women's Football
trending_flat
Radio Host Fired After Making Offensive Comments On Women’s Football

An Australian radio presenter has departed from Triple M following controversial comments about the national women's football team that sparked widespread criticism. Marty Sheargold made remarks on air comparing the Matildas players to "year 10 girls" and suggesting their matches were boring. Despite issuing an apology Wednesday, Sheargold did not return to his usual time slot. Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), Triple M's parent company, announced that Sheargold and the station had "mutually part ways." In his apology, Sheargold acknowledged the severity of his comments, offering a "sincere apology to the Matildas and the broader organisation." SCA's chief content officer Dave Cameron stated the company "takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders, and clients seriously" and that its programming "should align with the standards and expectations of its audience." The controversy began during Sheargold's Monday afternoon show when he interrupted a sports […]

trending_flat
McDavid’s Overtime Winner Crowns Canada Champion in Inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off

Canada emerged victorious in the first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament, defeating the United States 3-2 in overtime at Boston's TD Garden Arena on Thursday. Connor McDavid scored the decisive goal 8:18 into overtime, concluding a tournament that showcased elite talent from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. The championship game attracted significant attention, with ticket prices escalating in the lead-up to the finale. The game began with Canada taking an early lead as Nathan MacKinnon scored 4:48 into the first period with a well-placed wrist shot past American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The United States responded late in the period when Brady Tkachuk capitalized on a loose puck from Auston Matthews' attempted wrap-around. The Americans gained their first lead 7:31 into the second period when Jake Sanderson scored his first goal of the tournament, converting a deflected pass from […]

Teen Sensation Andreeva, 17, Shocks Swiatek In Dubai Quarters
trending_flat
Teen Sensation Andreeva, 17, Shocks Swiatek In Dubai Quarters

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva has made history at the Dubai Tennis Championships, defeating world number two Iga Swiatek in a stunning 6-3 6-3 quarter-final victory. At just 17 years old, Andreeva becomes the youngest player ever to reach the tournament's semi-finals. The match, lasting one hour and 36 minutes, saw Andreeva demonstrate remarkable resilience. Despite falling behind 3-1 in the second set, she mounted an impressive comeback, winning five consecutive games to defeat the five-time Grand Slam champion from Poland. Andreeva's victory sets up a semi-final clash against either Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan or American Sofia Kenin. After the match, Andreeva acknowledged her pre-match nerves, referencing their previous encounter in Cincinnati last year where Swiatek emerged victorious. "I just told myself that I played great and I just need to continue to play aggressive and go for my shots," she […]

Be the first to leave a comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Unfollow Cancel

Cancel subscription

Are you sure you want to cancel your subscription? You will lose your Premium access and stored playlists.

Go back Confirm cancellation