Lionel Messi (foto: Getty Images)
Several top players, including Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Florian Wirtz, will miss the March international break due to injuries, affecting their national teams in World Cup qualifiers and Nations
The first international break of 2025 has been hit with a wave of injuries, sidelining several high-profile players from their national teams. As World Cup qualifiers and Nations League fixtures unfold, key absences could impact their respective countries' chances of success.
This break marks the first—and last—international window before the decisive final months of the 2024/25 season. With club football approaching a thrilling conclusion, losing key players at this stage could affect both domestic and international campaigns.
Fitness concerns have forced national team coaches to adjust their squads, with multiple stars ruled out due to recent injuries. Below is a list of the biggest names missing from the March internationals due to fitness setbacks.
Biggest stars missing on international duty due to injuries:
✔️ Lionel Messi (Argentina & Inter Miami)
✔️ Neymar (Brazil & Santos)
✔️ Florian Wirtz (Germany & Bayer Leverkusen)
✔️ Cole Palmer (England & Chelsea)
✔️ Marcus Thuram (France & Inter Milan)
✔️ Trent Alexander-Arnold (England & Liverpool)
✔️ Paulo Dybala (Argentina & Roma)
✔️ Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands & Liverpool)
✔️ Lautaro Martínez (Argentina & Inter Milan)
✔️ Mateo Retegui (Italy & Atalanta)
✔️ Marc Casadó (Spain & Barcelona)
✔️ Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands & Inter Milan)
These injuries come at a crucial time, with teams looking to secure qualification spots or advance in their respective competitions. National team coaches will need to adapt their strategies as they face the upcoming challenges without some of their biggest stars.