Lionel Messi IPA

Lionel Messi left off of Argentina World Cup qualifiers roster

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 1/19/22

International soccer star Lionel Messi was left off of Argentina's roster for the World Cup qualifiers set to take place at the end of the month as he continues to rebound from COVID-19.

Messi has been left out of Argentina’s squad for the Qatar World Cup qualifiers ❌ pic.twitter.com/WD8E0Fbql4
— LiveScore (@livescore) January 19, 2022

Messi, 34, has not played for Paris Saint-Germain since he tested positive for the virus while in Argentina over the Christmas holiday. He returned to Paris on Jan. 5 but only recently began fully training with the team following a long recovery period.

He’s back. Leo Messi returns to group training. #PSG pic.twitter.com/on0amJHi3W
— Leo Messi (@WeAreMessi) January 19, 2022

In an Instagram post last week, Messi acknowledged that it took him much longer to get back to feeling 100 percent since contracting the virus.

Messi has missed three matches for PSG due to COVID and 10 matches overall dating back to August in part due to multiple injuries. When healthy, he has registered six goals in 16 matches for PSG.

It has been a rocky start to the attacker's tenure in France after an emotional departure from Barcelona, where he spent 17 years and remains their all-time leading scorer.

This will be the first time Messi won't represent Argentina at the World Cup qualifiers since he debuted for the squad. Argentina is scheduled to host Chile on Jan. 27 and visit Colombia on Feb. 1.

More must-reads: