Argentine legend Lionel Messi will not play in his  country’s next two World Cup qualifiers because of injury.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced his 28-man squad yesterday for the matches against Chile on September 5 and Colombia five days later.

Messi is still recovering from a right ankle injury.

The 36-year-old Angel Di María, who retired from the national team after winning the recent Copa America, is not on the list either.

World Cup champion Argentina leads South American qualifying with 15 points after six matches.