BUENOS AIRES — Lionel Messi will not participate in Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches due to an injury, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced on Monday.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Messi is still recovering from a right ankle injury and will miss Argentina’s matches against Chile on September 5 and Colombia on September 10. In addition to Messi, 36-year-old Ángel Di María, who retired from international football after winning the Copa America, is also absent from the 28-man squad.

Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, currently leads the South American qualifying standings with 15 points after six matches.