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After winning the 2024 Copa America in July, Lionel Messi’s Argentina resume their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. La Albiceleste have played six matches and won five to top the standings.
They play two matches in September (Chile and Colombia). Fans want to know if Lionel Messi will play for Argentina in their World Cup qualifying matches that will take place next month after reports claimed that he's likely to return to action in September.
According to Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, Messi is not on the list of players to play against Chile and Colombia. He has been out of action since July after suffering a sprained ankle against Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has named the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September. But Messi is not included in the 28-man squad, as he's still recovering from his ankle injury.
Lional Scaloni’s men face Chile on September 6 in Buenos Aires and Colombia four days later at the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla.
Lionel Messi says he will keep on playing for Argentina beyond 2024 Copa America final
Following Argentina’s 2-0 win over Canada in the semi-final of 2024 Copa America, Lionel Messi ruled out immediate retirement from the national team.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said that he intends playing for La Albiceleste beyond the Copa America, telling MARCA:
"As I've said before, I intend to continue," he said Tuesday night after Argentina's 2-0 win over Canada.
"I intend to keep living day by day without thinking about what will come in the future or whether I'll continue or not. It's something I just live each day. I'm 37 years, and only God knows when the end will be."
Messi had initially retired from Argentina duty following a shootout loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final. But he performed a U-turn and won multiple trophies with the team, including two Copa America titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi has scored 109 goals for Argentina in 187 appearances, with only Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (130) scoring more goals in men's international football.
