Buenos Aires, Feb 3 (NA) – Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso suffered a muscle injury, raising alarms for the Argentina national team. His club, Real Betis, confirmed he has a moderate-grade proximal myotendinous injury in his right thigh rectus muscle. In Spain, they estimate a recovery time of close to two months, according to the Argentine News Agency. The Andalusian club reported that the injury occurred due to a fortuitous action during the match against PAOK, played on January 22. In that game, Lo Celso could only stay on the field for five minutes before being substituted. Betis clarified that there is no exact date for his return and that his evolution will determine the timeline, although the outlook is not encouraging. This scenario casts serious doubt on his presence in the Finalissima, which the 'Albiceleste' will play against Spain on March 27 in Qatar. The match will be played just months before the start of the 2026 World Cup and represents a key test for Lionel Scaloni's cycle. Lo Celso's possible absence is no minor detail. The former Rosario Central player was an important piece throughout Scaloni's process, although his career with the national team has been marked by injuries. In fact, he missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to a muscle problem, but he had his revenge in the 2024 Copa América, where he was a champion, and was regularly called up again in 2025, although without full continuity. Without Lo Celso, Scaloni will have to start evaluating alternatives in midfield, waiting for the Betis midfielder to shorten the deadlines and be available again for one of the most anticipated commitments on the international calendar.
