(Buenos Aires) Lionel Messi was selected Thursday for Argentina’s next two men’s World Cup qualifiers, despite having been sidelined for two weeks due to mysterious muscle pain.
The legendary 36-year-old has missed five of Inter Miami’s last six games. The captain of the Argentine team was also absent from his national team’s 3-0 victory against Bolivia on September 12.
Messi has not played in an Inter Miami match since September 20, against Toronto FC. He was then replaced at half-time due to muscle pain.
Argentina will face Paraguay in Buenos Aires on October 12, then visit Peru five days later.
Argentina and Brazil dominate the World Cup qualifying standings for the South American zone with two wins in as many matches.