Lionel Messi's Argentina Teammate Ruled Out for Upcoming 2026 South American Qualifiers

Injury Sidelines Key Player

Argentina has suffered a major blow ahead of the upcoming 2026 South American Qualifiers, as star midfielder Leandro Paredes has been ruled out due to injury.

Paredes suffered a thigh injury during Juventus' recent Serie A match against Monza. The club confirmed that the 28-year-old will be sidelined for approximately six weeks, meaning he will miss Argentina's opening three qualifiers against Paraguay, Peru, and Brazil.

Significant Loss for Scaloni

Paredes' absence is a significant loss for Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. The midfielder has been a key figure in the team's recent successes, including their triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Paredes' technical ability, passing range, and defensive contributions will be sorely missed by Argentina. His absence could force Scaloni to make changes to his starting lineup and战术 system.

Other Injury Concerns

Argentina already had several injury concerns heading into the qualifiers. Star forwards Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala are both recovering from recent injuries, and their availability for the upcoming matches is uncertain.

Scaloni will be hoping that Messi and Dybala are fit enough to play, as their experience and quality would be invaluable to the team. However, their absence would further deplete Argentina's attacking options.

Tough Start to Qualifiers

Argentina's opening three qualifiers will be tough tests, even with a fully fit squad. Paraguay, Peru, and Brazil are all strong teams, and Argentina will need to be at their best to get positive results.

The qualifiers will begin on March 23, and Argentina will be hoping to start their campaign with a victory against Paraguay in Buenos Aires.

Conclusion: Messi's Argentina Face Qualifiers Challenge

Argentina face a challenging start to their 2026 South American Qualifiers, with key players Leandro Paredes and potentially Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala missing through injury.

Coach Lionel Scaloni will need to find solutions to replace his injured stars and ensure that Argentina maintain their momentum from the World Cup triumph.

The qualifiers will provide a stern test of Argentina's depth and resilience, and their performance in the opening matches will be crucial in shaping their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.