Lionel Messi joins Argentina’s team again after seven months, just in time for important World Cup qualifiers

Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina’s team after being away for seven months. They will play Chile and Colombia in World Cup tests next week.

Lionel Messi, leader of Argentina’s national team, has returned to training with the rest of the team after a seven-month break. They will be playing Chile and Colombia in important Conmebol World Cup qualifying games.

The 37-year-old last played for Argentina in November 2024, but he missed the March doubleheader because he hurt his muscle. While he was away, coach Lionel Scaloni’s team played well enough to earn their spot in the next World Cup.

Messi came to the training center near Buenos Aires that was named after him after a great run of form with Inter Miami CF. He was named MLS Player of the Week for the second week in a row on Monday, after being a key part of all five goals in Miami’s 5-1 win over Columbus Crew.

Argentina is currently in first place in the Conmebol standings with 31 points. On Thursday, they play Chile away from home, and then they host Colombia at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Along with Messi, the team has three new players: defenders Kevin Lomónaco (Independiente) and Mariano Troilo (Belgrano), and 17-year-old forward Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. Mastantuono is making his debut for Italy, and big teams in Europe are already interested in him.

Scaloni will have to deal with a number of absences due to injuries and bans. Because Nicolás Otamendi of Benfica is banned, Tottenham’s Cristian Romero will play with either Leonardo Balerdi of Olympique Marseille or Facundo Medina of Lens in the middle of the defense.

There will also be changes in the middle of the field. Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool is injured and won’t be able to play, and Enzo Fernández of Chelsea and Leandro Paredes of AS Roma will both miss one game because they have too many yellow cards.

Lautaro Martínez, a striker for Inter Milan, is set to join the team on Wednesday, after his team lost the Champions League final 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain. However, he is not likely to play against Chile on Thursday.

Messi’s return gives Argentina a big boost as they get ready for these important games. They want to keep up their strong play and keep moving toward World Cup glory.