Why is Lionel Messi not starting for Argentina against Paraguay in the World Cup 2026 qualifier?
Lionel Messi will start on the bench for Argentina against Paraguay on Thursday as he continues to step up his return from a recent injury. The 36-year-old was forced off in the first of La Albiceleste’s opening two FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier s, scoring the winning goal against Ecuador before being replaced due to “tiredness”. Argentina vs Paraguay FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier: live What injury has Messi been struggling with? That initial diagnosis proved to be somewhat misleading, with Messi reportedly aggravating an old scar tissue injury, which forced him to sit out four of Inter Miami’s six matches after the September international break. 🚨 Lionel Messi on the bench. Argentina start ing XI: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Nicolás González; Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/DiSOZ2rCIG — Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) October 12, 2023 After not pl