Argentina will be without major talisman Lionel Messi for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. How big is this miss?
By now, Argentina fans are used to seeing Lionel Messi work his magic in high-stakes matches. Whether it’s leading La Albiceleste to Copa América glory in 2021 or lifting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 37-year-old has been the heartbeat of the national team for nearly two decades.
But as Argentina prepares to face Uruguay and Brazil in crucial World Cup qualifiers, they’ll have to do it without their talisman. Messi, nursing a minor adductor injury, has been left out of the squad. So, the big question is: Will Argentina feel his absence?
The numbers speak for themselves—Messi leads the current South American World Cup qualifiers in scoring with six goals in 12 rounds. He also holds the all-time record for most international goals by a South American player, with 112 strikes in 191 appearances.
However, his influence goes beyond just finding the net. Since Lionel Scaloni took over as Argentina’s head coach in 2018, Messi has registered 26 assists in all competitions, proving how integral he is in creating chances. His ability to drop deep, dictate play, and provide killer passes will undoubtedly be missed against two elite opponents.
Argentina’s recent form suggests they can hold their own, even without their captain. Under Scaloni, the team has developed a solid identity based on defensive discipline and collective effort rather than Messi-dependence.
Take the 2022 World Cup qualifiers as an example. Messi missed five games in that cycle, yet Argentina still went unbeaten. More recently, he was rested against Bolivia in September 2023, and Argentina still came away with a comfortable 3-0 win in La Paz—a historically difficult venue at high altitude.
Additionally, Argentina’s squad depth is better than ever. Julian Álvarez, the Manchester City forward, has evolved into a reliable attacking option, while Lautaro Martínez, despite some inconsistency, remains one of Serie A’s most dangerous strikers. Both will be expected to step up in Messi’s absence.
That being said, Uruguay and Brazil are no ordinary opponents. Uruguay, led by Marcelo Bielsa, has been in red-hot form and sits second in the CONMEBOL standings, just five points behind Argentina. They’ve already beaten Brazil 2-0 in Montevideo, showing they are capable of taking down the region’s giants.
Brazil, despite their struggles, remains a dangerous side. Even without Neymar, they possess world-class talents like Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo. Argentina’s last meeting with Brazil at the Maracanã ended in a 1-0 win in the Copa América final, but doing it again without Messi is a different challenge altogether.
There’s no doubt that Messi’s absence is a blow, but it may not be a disaster. Argentina has a well-drilled system and enough firepower to cope in these two fixtures. However, if things don’t go their way—especially against a hungry Uruguay side—questions will be raised about whether they can consistently win big games without their No. 10.
That being said, with a five-point cushion at the top of the standings and a six-team automatic qualification format, Argentina has some breathing room. If they can secure at least four points from these two games, they’ll prove that their success isn’t just about Messi—it’s about a well-rounded, world-class squad.
What do you think? Will Argentina struggle without Messi, or is this the moment for the next generation to shine?
