Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Amorim told he's already made his first mistake at Man Utd

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Twellman reportedly investigated for physical altercation

Indonesia vs Japan: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi absent from Argentina squad due to injury</li><li>De Paul to be named captain against Chile</li><li>Says armband will go back to Inter Miami hero</li></ul>

Lionel Messi told Argentina captaincy 'still belongs to him' despite injury woes as Rodrigo De Paul plays down prospect of deputising for Inter Miami star

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Argentina

Peru

Messi was left out of the Argentina squad as they prepare for their World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia over the next week, having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/argentina-lionel-messi-tearfully-subbed-off-injury-copa-america-final-colombia/blt33ca84acd1ef319a" target="_blank">sustained an injury during their 2024 Copa America final victory</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The 37-year-old has been captaining the Albiceleste since 2011 and remains a vital part of Lionel Scaloni's team. Angel Di Maria was the man usually trusted to take the captain's armband in Messi's absence, but the former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/angel-di-maria-confirms-argentina-retirement-after-copa-america/bltfaa2f9961908651b" target="_blank">retired from international football this summer</a>, leaving Scaloni with a decision to make. Whenever Di Maria has had to leave the field as captain, he has handed the armband to Atletico Madrid midfielder De Paul, who expects to be trusted to lead the team out when they take on Chile this week.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"I always say that I play the role that they give me," De Paul said when asked about taking on Messi's responsibilities. "It's been many years. I feel like an important player in this team. That's all I can say. Afterwards, we know that the armband belongs to Leo. Whoever has to wear it will be circumstantial because he is the captain of this team."

WHAT DE PAUL SAID

Argentina are at the top of their qualifying group with 15 points from six games and with Uruguay just two behind them, they will be anxious to beat Chile and Colombia to protect their lead even without Messi. The iconic attacker, meanwhile, is training again and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-tata-martino-injury-return-date-herons-chicago-fire-mls/blt25d44df117076dd0" target="_blank">hopes to make his Inter Miami return in mid-September</a>.

WHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA?

Lionel Messi told Argentina captaincy 'still belongs to him' despite injury woes as Rodrigo De Paul plays down prospect of deputising for Inter Miami star | Goal.com

Lionel Messi has been assured that his status as Argentina captain is under no threat as Rodrigo De Paul stands in for the injured Inter Miami star.

Lionel Messi told Argentina captaincy &apos;still belongs to him&apos; despite injury woes as Rodrigo De Paul plays down prospect of deputising for Inter Miami star