After Lionel Messi struggled to make an impact in Argentina's 2-1 loss to Paraguay, the team is reportedly set to lose two first-team players for their upcoming clash against Peru. Argentina‘s 2-1 loss to Paraguay in the 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers on Thursday delivered a double blow to Lionel Messi‘s team.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina squad made a late roster addition to cover for German Pezzella’s absence, but another key player has now been sidelined with an injury.

How big Messi’s impact is can be gauged from the fact that Paraguay banned jerseys bearing the Argentina footballer’s name from entering the Estadio Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción.