Argentina Injury Report: Will Lionel Messi Play in World Cup Qualifying Match vs Peru?
By Jeremiah Santos
(Photo : Mariana Bazo/Getty Images) LIMA, PERU - Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during the warm up prior to a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Peru and Argentina at Estadio Nacional de Lima on October 17, 2023 in Lima, Peru.
Lionel Messi , missing several games across his club, Inter Miami, and Argentina for the past month due to muscle fatigue.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner played in his country's last game against Paraguay on Thursday, October 12, but he came in as a substitute in the 53rd minute while not going at full-force.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami manager Tata Martino Messi's injury had been "healed" last Saturday, following their latest MLS match after being eliminated from playoff contention.
Messi traveled with the team to Peru for the second World Cup qualifying match of the current international break, to be held on Tuesday, October 17, at the Estadio Nacional de Lima.
Messi Argentina's starting XI in the World Cup qualifier against Peru.
Video footage shows the 36-year-old training ahead of the match, although persistent concerns continue to linger due to the leg injury hindering him recently.
Argentina's Starting XI vs Peru:
of manager Lionel Scaloni's side for their latest 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
- Emiliano Martínez
- Gonzalo Montiel
- Cristian Romero
- Nicolás Otamendi
- Nicolás Tagliafico
- Rodrigo De Paul
- Alexis Mac Allister
- Enzo Fernandez
- Lionel Messi
- Julián Álvarez
- Nicolás González
