Martinez ruled out of Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez will miss the team’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to a hamstring injury, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on Wednesday.
The Inter Milan forward, 27, was an unused substitute in the second leg of Inter’s Champions League last-16 tie against Feyenoord due to muscle discomfort. He returned to action on Sunday, scoring in Inter’s 2-0 Serie A victory over Atalanta, before linking up with Lionel Scaloni’s squad. However, further medical assessments have ruled him out with a left hamstring injury.
Martinez’s absence adds to Argentina’s growing injury concerns. Captain Lionel Messi is sidelined with a muscle strain, while Gonzalo Montiel, Giovani Lo Celso, and Paulo Dybala are also unavailable.
Despite these setbacks, Argentina remains in a strong position at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table with 25 points from 12 matches. The reigning World Cup and Copa America champions face second-placed Uruguay on Friday before hosting fifth-placed Brazil four days later.(Reuters)
