Argentina forward joins Lionel Messi on sidelines in fresh injury blow ahead of Uruguay clash

Argentina have confirmed Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez has withdrawn from the squad due to injury.

Lionel Scaloni's side are preparing to resume their qualifying campaign for next year's World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Argentina will travel to Montevideo for Friday's clash against Uruguay, before they return home for Tuesday's meeting with Brazil at Estadio Mas Monumental.

La Albiceleste already knew they would go into the next two fixtures without their all-time record goalscorer Lionel Messi.

The 37-year-old was left out of Scaloni's squad after he sustained a minor adductor injury in Inter Miami's 2-1 win over Atlanta United on Sunday.

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Martinez withdraws from Argentina squad

In addition to Messi, Scaloni was also unable to call upon Roma's Paulo Dybala, Real Betis' Giovani Lo Celso and River Plate's Gonzalo Montiel.

The Argentina boss has now been handed another injury blow after it was confirmed that Martinez has withdrawn due to a hamstring problem.

In a social media post, the Argentine FA said: "Forward Lautaro Martinez will be out of the squad for this March double date due to a muscle injury in his lower left hamstring."

Unfortunately for Martinez, the injury brings an end to a run of 22 consecutive international appearances since he missed friendlies against Australia and Indonesia in June 2023.

The Inter forward has also started five of Argentina's last six matches, scoring in each of their final three games of 2024 against Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru.

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Alvarez to step up in Martinez's absence

With Martinez unavailable, Alvarez will have to assume goalscoring responsibility for the next two matches against Uruguay and Brazil.

The Atletico Madrid star will be confident of adding to his 11-goal international tally after racking up the goals at Atletico Madrid.

The 25-year-old forward has netted 23 goals in 44 competitive appearances with Diego Simeone's side, including 11 strikes in 28 La Liga matches.

Meanwhile, Bologna's Santiago Castro will provide a centre-forward option off the bench after earning his first call-up.