Lionel Messi not in the Argentine national team squad for the games in September after injury at the Copa America

Lionel Messi has been dropped from the Argentine national team’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Messi, 37, has not played since injuring his right ankle in the Copa America final on July 14. Two days after the final, in which Argentina beat Colombia 1-0, Inter Miami announced that their player had torn a ligament and would be out indefinitely.

Miami head coach Tata Martino said at the time that further tests were needed to determine the severity of Messi's injury.

In last month's Copa America final, Messi appeared to slip on the turf at Hard Rock Stadium after an hour. He called for medical attention after falling to the ground and was treated on the pitch before leaving the field and being substituted.

After the match, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi tried desperately not to leave the field but was left with no other choice. Messi appeared emotional on the bench after being taken off, but was later able to lift the trophy during Argentina's celebrations.

Since the Copa America final, Messi has been a regular in Miami's games despite his injury. The former Barcelona striker was photographed at Miami's MLS match against Toronto FC, as well as their Leagues Cup matches against the Canadian side and Puebla.

Miami leads the Eastern Conference after 25 games, five points ahead of second-place FC Cincinnati. Messi has only played in 15 games for Miami this season due to participation in the Copa America and injuries, but still scored 14 goals and 11 assists.

Argentina face Chile at home and Colombia away in 2026 World Cup qualifying next month. Scaloni's team are top of the CONMEBOL table after six games, winning five and drawing once.

GO DEEPER

Lionel Messi and the unmistakable feeling of an end

The Argentine squad for the games in September

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Walter Benitez (PSV), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlanta).

Defender: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atlético), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), German Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Valentin Barco (Brighton).

Midfielder: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Guido Rodriguez (West Ham), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Ezequiel Fernandez (Al Qadsiah), Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético).

Forward: Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Matias Soule (Roma), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico), Valentin Carboni (Marseille), Julian Alvarez (Atletico), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Valentin Castellanos (Lazio).

(Buda Mendes/Getty Images)