Injuries and Weather Challenges Loom Over South American World Cup Qualifiers

SAO PAULO (AP) — As Lionel Messi prepares to rejoin Argentina for the South American World Cup qualifiers, many notable players across the continent are set to miss the upcoming matches due to injury-related issues. Argentina, at the top of the rankings with 18 points, welcomes back Messi, but faces challenges with several players absent. Among the missing are midfielder Valentín Carboni, who recently sustained a knee injury, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who is suspended.

Brazil, currently in fifth place with 10 points, faces its own hurdles as key players are absent from their lineup. Forward Vinicius Júnior and the long-term injured Neymar will both miss Brazil’s next matches. Coach Dorival Júnior has turned to Igor Jesus, a lesser-known striker formerly with Al-Ahli in Dubai, to fill the gap against Chile. “The training sessions showed good things. Everyone is very focused so we can play to matches in a different level from the one of the previous match, especially the first half,” Júnior stated at a press conference in São Paulo.

Meanwhile, Uruguay, currently third with 15 points, will have Darwin Núñez back on the field after the Court for Arbitration of Sport overturned his suspension linked to the Copa América. However, controversy surrounds the team as former player Luis Suárez criticized Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa for alleged mistreatment. This was corroborated by team captain Federico Valverde and other players.

In another development affecting Argentina, the team is currently delayed in Venezuela for their match due to adverse weather conditions that have left the pitch waterlogged. Stadium workers are attempting to clear the waterlogged field at Monumental Stadium in Maturín. The match remains in question as representatives from both teams deliberate over the safety and feasibility of proceeding under current conditions.

Despite these difficulties, Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni has expressed confidence in Messi’s readiness to captain the team against Venezuela. “Messi is fine. He played several games for his team in recent weeks, after not being in the last call-up, which was what we had agreed because he needed to recover and get more minutes,” Scaloni commented.

Currently, Argentina is favored to win, with betting odds surpassing those of Venezuela or a draw. The team plans to return to Argentina for a subsequent match against Bolivia after facing Venezuela. Additionally, travel restrictions and Hurricane Milton in Florida affected their travel plans, necessitating a layover in Colombia before reaching Venezuela.