Lautaro Martinez Excluded from Argentina's World Cup Qualifiers

Synopsis

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez has been ruled out of Argentina's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to a hamstring injury. This follows captain Lionel Messi's withdrawal, raising challenges for the team as they lead the South American qualifying standings.

Key Takeaways

Lautaro Martinez out due to hamstring injury.
Argentina faces Uruguay and Brazil in qualifiers.
Lionel Messi also withdrew from the squad.
Argentina currently leads South American qualifiers.
Venezuela's Ruben Ramirez ruled out with injury.

Buenos Aires, March 20 (NationPress) The Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez has been ruled out of Argentina's FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to a hamstring injury, as confirmed by the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

Martinez netted the second goal in Inter Milan's 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the Italian Serie A on Sunday before he was substituted in the final minute.

The AFA has yet to announce a replacement for the 27-year-old striker. This news follows the withdrawal of captain Lionel Messi from the squad just two days prior, due to an adductor strain, as reported by Xinhua.

Argentina is set to face Uruguay in Montevideo on Friday and Brazil in Buenos Aires next Tuesday.

Currently, Lionel Scaloni's team leads the 10-team South American qualifying standings with 25 points from 12 matches, five points ahead of second-placed Uruguay.

In related news, central defender Ruben Ramirez will miss Venezuela's FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Peru due to a torn hamstring, according to the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF).

The 29-year-old sustained the injury while playing for Bolivia's Club Bolivar, and MRI scans confirmed his unavailability for the doubleheader of qualifiers.

The FVF stated, "The diagnosis has led to the player being removed from the squad so that he can continue the recovery process at his club."

Ramirez's absence follows that of Talleres Cordoba defender Miguel Navarro, who is also sidelined due to a leg muscle injury.

Venezuela will clash with Ecuador in Quito on Friday and face Peru in Maturin next Tuesday. The Vinotinto currently sits eighth in the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 points from as many matches.

With only six matchdays remaining, the South American qualification for the FIFA World Cup 26 is set to resume with the continent's first international fixtures of 2025.

Argentina continues to hold the lead heading into the forthcoming matches, but the situation could change, especially as the reigning South American champions prepare for two challenging encounters against their oldest rivals this month: Uruguay and Brazil.