Lionel Messi and Other Notable Absences in Argentina's Squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Lionel Messi and other key players were left out of Argentina's squad for the upcoming South American World Cup qualifiers due to injuries and retirements. Coach Lionel Scaloni has included young, relatively inexperienced players. The team will face Chile and Colombia early next month.

Argentina's national football team will head into next month's South American World Cup qualifiers without their star captain, Lionel Messi. The 37-year-old was notably absent from the 28-man squad announced Monday by the Argentine FA due to an ankle injury. Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, sustained the injury during the Copa America final and is recovering at his club.

Additional absences include River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani and star striker Angel Di Maria, who recently retired from the national team. Young talents like Ezequiel Fernandez and Valentin Castellanos have been called up for the first time. Other young participants include Alejandro Garnacho, Valentin Carboni, Valentin Barco, and Matias Soule.

The squad will face Chile at Buenos Aires' Monumental stadium on September 5 before traveling to Barranquilla to play Colombia five days later.

(With inputs from agencies.)