World Copa America holders Argentina are back in action in September with a World Cup qualification double-header against Chile and Colombia.
Lionel Scaloni’s men are riding high at the top of CONMEBOL’s fiercely competitive qualification section, two points ahead of Uruguay with six matches played.
Colombia are a point further back in third and will hope to gain ground when they welcome La Albiceleste to Barranquilla on September 10. Four days earlier, Argentina host Chile in Buenos Aires at the Monumental.
However, Lionel Messi will not be involved.
MORE: Sergio Busquets and Tata Martino concerned by Lionel Messi's injury return
Why is Lionel Messi not in the Argentina squad?
Messi has not played since injuring his right ankle during the 1-0 Copa America final victory over Colombia on July 14.
In a statement, Inter Miami confirmed the 36-year-old had suffered ligament damage and would be out for an indefinite period.
He sat out the MLS All-Star Game and missed Inter’s unsuccessful defence of their League Cup crown.
Prior to facing Columbus Crew in the last 16 of that tournament, Inter coach Tata Martino said: “We don't have an estimate as to his return yet.”
The Herons return to MLS action against Cincinnati on August 24, a game that also looks likely to come too soon for Messi in light of his Argentina omission.
Argentina squad to face Chile and Colombia
Scaloni has named a 28-man squad, with uncapped forwards Giuliano Simeone and Taty Castellanos the main beneficiaries from Messi’s absence.
| Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Benítez | Goalkeeper | PSV (Netherlands) |
| Gerónimo Rulli | Goalkeeper | Marseille (France) |
| Emiliano Martínez | Goalkeeper | Aston Villa (England) |
| Juan Musso | Goalkeeper | Atalanta (Italy) |
| Germán Pezzella | Defender | River Plate |
| Gonzalo Montiel | Defender | Sevilla (Spain) |
| Nicolás Otamendi | Defender | Benfica (Portugal) |
| Cristian Romero | Defender | Tottenham (England) |
| Nicolás Tagliafico | Defender | Lyon (France) |
| Nahuel Molina Lucero | Defender | Atletico Madrid (Spain) |
| Lisandro Martínez | Defender | Manchester United (England) |
| Leonardo Balerdi | Defender | Marseille (France) |
| Valentín Barco | Defender | Brighton (England) |
| Rodrigo De Paul | Midfielder | Atlético de Madrid (Spain |
| Leandro Paredes | Midfielder | Roma (Italy) |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Midfielder | Liverpool (England) |
| Enzo Fernández | Midfielder | Chelsea (England) |
| Giovani Lo Celso | Midfielder | Tottenham (England) |
| Valentín Carboni | Midfielder | Marseille (France) |
| Guido Rodríguez | Midfielder | West Ham (England) |
| Ezequiel Fernández | Midfielder | Al-Qadsiah (Saudi Arabia) |
| Nicolás González | Forward | Fiorentina (Italy) |
| Alejandro Garnacho | Forward | Manchester United (England) |
| Julián Álvarez | Forward | Atletico Madrid (Spain) |
| Lautaro Martínez | Forward | Inter (Italy) |
| Matías Soulé | Forward | Roma (Italy) |
| Giuliano Simeone | Forward | Atletico Madrid (Spain) |
| Taty Castellanos | Forward | Lazio (Italy) |