Argentina duo Paulo Dybala and Juan Foyth have withdrawn from the national team squad ahead of Friday's 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Paraguay at Estadio Mas Monumental.

Dybala is facing up to a month on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained in Roma's 4-1 Serie A win against Cagliari on Sunday, while Villarreal's Foyth has picked up an unspecified injury and has been replaced in the squad by Lens full-back Facundo Medina.

However, Argentina supporters has been boosted by the news that star attacker Lionel Messi has recovered from a muscle injury after featuring as a second-half substitute in Inter Miami's 1-0 MLS loss to FC Cincinnati on Sunday.

The 176-cap captain could therefore be in contention to start on the right side of a front three that may also include Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez; Lautaro Martinez, Lucas Ocampos, Alejandro Garnacho and the uncapped Lucas Beltran are other attacking options at Lionel Scaloni's disposal.

Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul are the most likely trio to start in centre-midfield, although the likes of Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso and Leandro Paredes will be looking to force their way into the first XI; uncapped trio Carlos Alcaraz, Facundo Farias and Bruno Zapelli are also in contention to feature in some capacity on Thursday.

In the absence of Lisandro Martinez, who is facing a lengthy spell out with a foot injury, Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi are expected to links arms in central defence in front of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico could begin as full-backs.

Argentina possible starting lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez, Gonzalez

Written by
Oliver Thomas