Lionel Scaloni added a new headache ahead of the Finalissima that the Argentina National Team will play against Spain. Giovanni Lo Celso suffered a muscle injury and, according to estimates from the Spanish press, his recovery would take around two months, a time frame that would rule him out of the match scheduled for March 27 in Qatar.
According to the medical report released by Betis, Lo Celso is suffering from a "moderate-grade proximal myotendinous injury of the rectus femoris in his right thigh", the result of a fortuitous action during the match against PAOK, played on January 22. In that match, the Rosario-born player was only able to remain on the field for five minutes before being substituted.
Lo Celso estaría fuera por al menos dos meses
From the Andalusian club, officials clarified that there is no specific date for his return and that his progress will determine the timing, although in Spain people already take it for granted that he won't reappear before two months. If that forecast is confirmed, the Albiceleste head coach would suffer a significant absence for the clash against the Spanish national team, one of the most important fixtures on the calendar before the 2026 World Cup.
To make matters worse, the news arrives in an adverse context for the midfielder, who is carrying a recent history of injuries. Lo Celso missed the Qatar 2022 World Cup due to muscle problems, although he had his revenge by being crowned champion at the 2024 Copa América. During 2025 he was once again frequently drafted to the national team, although he also was left out of some FIFA dates due to various physical issues.
Lo Celso podría no jugar la Finalissima y perder terreno para el Mundial
Meanwhile, the former Rosario Central player is beginning his recovery with the aim of returning as soon as possible, and the Argentine coaching staff will have to analyze alternatives in midfield in light of the possibility of not having one of its regular drafts. While they wait for his progress, the Finalissima appears today as a race against time for Lo Celso.
