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Lionel Messi not starting for Argentina in WC qualifier

Lionel Messi was not in Argentina's starting XI for their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Thursday, but he was included in the squad as a substitute.

Lionel Scaloni's Argentina is 2-0 in CONMEBOL qualifying thus far, having beaten Ecuador 1-0 and Bolívia 3-0 in September, but Messi did not play against Bolivia after picking up leg injury in their first match.

That injury forced Messi to miss a chunk of games for club side Inter Miami CF as the team missed the MLS Cup playoffs after a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati on Saturday.