9 Top Players Who Withdrew From National Team Squads Due to Injury Including Lionel Messi

• Lionel Messi did not join Argentina’s squad for the March international friendlies
• The captain stayed back at Inter Miami to deal with a niggling muscle problem
• Some other top stars also withdrew from their country squads due to injuries

The first international break of the year will conclude its round of games this midweek as club football resumes worldwide this weekend after two country friendlies each.

Some top stars did not join their teams, while some others withdrew after arriving at camps due to injuries, leaving club managers sweating over some of their key players.

Sports Brief looks at nine players whose injuries prevented them from joining the national team.

Players who withdrew from national team

1. Lionel Messi

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Lionel Messi doesn't joke with his country, so for him to withdraw must have been beyond his control. Per Goal, a hamstring injury suffered in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 forced him to miss out on the national team assignment.

2. Kevin De Bruyne

The Manchester City playmaker has been dealing with hamstring issues since walking out of the 2023 UEFA Champions League final. He missed the earlier part of this season after surgery and did not join up with Belgium. Per mancity.com, he missed the FA Cup clash against Newcastle due to injury and was not called up for the national team games.

3. Harry Kane

Kane was forced off Bayern Munich's 5-2 away win over Darmstadt but travelled to England to join the national team regardless. He was immediately ruled out with an ankle injury and returned to Germany. Thomas Tuchel will hope it's not too serious.

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4. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo's case is unique. He missed the first game against Sweden to continue rehabilitation at Al-Nassr. However, he has teamed up with the squad for the second game against Slovenia.

5. Bukayo Saka

Arsenal's starman reported to St. George's Park but couldn't train and returned to his club as a precaution. The issue is expected not to be severe, and he could make the crucial title game against Manchester City at the weekend.

6. Harry Maguire

The Manchester United defender started for and captained England in the friendly against Brazil. He was withdrawn in the 67th minute and returned to Carrington with a minor issue.

7. Kyle Walker

Walker was subbed off after 20 minutes against Brazil. He returned to City, and per Sky Sports, the injury is not too severe and he should play a part in the title game against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

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8. Mohamed Salah

The Liverpool winger is still struggling with the hamstring injury he suffered at the Africa Cup of Nations. He asked to be left out of the squad for the March international friendlies to regain full fitness.

9. Manuel Akanji

The versatile defender has added to Pep Guardiola's headache ahead of the showdown against Arsenal after withdrawing from the Switzerland team due to a knock.

Ben White criticised for England snub

Sports Brief also reported on Ben White getting criticised for snubbing England national team duties after an incident which forced him to leave the team camp at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He is having a remarkable season at Arsenal, which deservedly would have earned him a call-up, but he declined via the club's sporting director, Edu Gaspar, who phoned Gareth Southgate.