Focus

Messi returns to Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers

Messi missed the Albiceleste's September qualifiers against Chile and Colombia because of an ankle injury but has since returned to action for his club Inter Miami.

03 Oct 2024 09:57am
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi appears on a screen as Argentina's supporters gather at Times Square, New York City after the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament semi-final football match between Argentina and Canada on July 9, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi appears on a screen as Argentina's supporters gather at Times Square, New York City after the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament semi-final football match between Argentina and Canada on July 9, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

BUENOS AIRES - Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina's squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia, reported Xinhua, quoting the South American country's football association on Wednesday.

Messi, 37, missed the Albiceleste's September qualifiers against Chile and Colombia because of an ankle injury but has since returned to action for his club Inter Miami.

Argentina will play Venezuela away on October 10 and Bolivia in Buenos Aires five days later.

The reigning World Cup and Copa America champions currently lead the 10-team South American group with 18 points from eight games, two points ahead of second-placed Colombia.

The top six teams will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The seventh-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff. - BERNAMA-XINHUA

Related Articles:
Lionel Messi
Argentina
FIFA World Cup
FIFA
qualifiers
Sports Matters
World Cup qualifiers
Venezuela
Bolivia
More Like This
Zii Jia. Photo credit: @victor_malaysia
Zii Jia. Photo credit: @victor_malaysia
Sports Zii Jia secures spot in BWF World Tour Finals
This was confirmed by BWF in a social media post, marking Zii Jia’s return to the prestigious tournament after a two-year absence.
This photograph taken in Paris on Novemver 19, 2024 shows a projection of Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal displayed at the Place du Trocadero, with the Eiffel Tower seen in the background, organised by the US sportwear brand Nike. - Photo by AFP
This photograph taken in Paris on Novemver 19, 2024 shows a projection of Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal displayed at the Place du Trocadero, with the Eiffel Tower seen in the background, organised by the US sportwear brand Nike. - Photo by AFP
Sports A fine bromance: Nadal's epic rivalry with Federer
In between, the great friends met 40 times, battling out epics on European clay, London grass and hard courts from the United States to Australia.
Uruguay's midfielder Facundo Pellistri and Brazil's defender Abner fight for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Brazil and Uruguay at the Arena Fonte Nova stadium in Salvador, Brazil, on November 19, 2024. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
Uruguay's midfielder Facundo Pellistri and Brazil's defender Abner fight for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Brazil and Uruguay at the Arena Fonte Nova stadium in Salvador, Brazil, on November 19, 2024. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
Sports Argentina beat Peru as Uruguay hold Brazil
Argentina remain on top of the CONMEBOL standings with their qualification for the 2026 tournament surely just a matter of time.
Spain's Rafael Nadal waves during a tribute to his career at the end of the quarter-final doubles match between Netherlands and Spain during the Davis Cup Finals at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena in Malaga, southern Spain, on November 19, 2024. Superstar Rafael Nadal's glittering career in professional tennis came to an end on November 19, 2024 as Netherlands eliminated Spain in the Davis Cup quarter-finals. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
Spain's Rafael Nadal waves during a tribute to his career at the end of the quarter-final doubles match between Netherlands and Spain during the Davis Cup Finals at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena in Malaga, southern Spain, on November 19, 2024. Superstar Rafael Nadal's glittering career in professional tennis came to an end on November 19, 2024 as Netherlands eliminated Spain in the Davis Cup quarter-finals. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
Sports 'I have left a legacy': Nadal retires from tennis
By SYAHIRAH MOKHTAZAR
20 Nov 2024 09:57am
The 22-time Grand Slam winner, enjoyed a glittering and historic career over the past 23 years.