Is Lionel Messi in the Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers?

Lionel Messi has been named in the Argentina squad for the upcoming internationals, despite having not been fit to play in Inter Miami’s loss to Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.

The 36-year-old suffered a reoccurrence of a hamstring issue in last month’s win over Toronto FC and has not played any part in Miami’s last four fixtures. They have failed to win any of those Games, effectively ending their hopes of making it to the playoffs.

In a recent press conference Inter Miami head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino admitted that he did not have a timeframe for Messi’s return from injury. The Argentine manager said that the club was taking it “day-by-day”.

If Messi is to play in Argentina’s next fixture he has just one week to return to contention. The Wold Cup holders face Paraguay (12 October) in Buenos Aires, before making the trip to Lima to take on Peru (17 October).

MLS involvement in Argentina squad

Messi is not the only US-based player to be named in Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad. Fellow World Cup winner Thiago Almada is also in the 34-man roster and there is a maiden call-up for Facundo Farías.

Farías is Messi’s teammate at club level and has impressed with his recent performances for the Herons. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has scored three goals in nine MLS appearances for Miami this year.

The presence of Almada and Farías in the Argentina squad is a sign of progress for MLS, who have previously struggled to attract top players from other nations. Last year Almada became the first active MLS player to win the World Cup when he was a part of the victorious Argentina team.