Lionel Messi will sit out Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil over the next eight days due to an adductor injury. The 37-year-old Inter Miami star was not included in the 25-man squad announced on Monday by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. The news came as a surprise because Messi, who had missed three league games in a row earlier this month due to an unspecified leg muscle strain, returned to action last week and scored in back-to-back victories against Cavalier FC in Jamaica last Thursday and Atlanta United on Sunday.

He came off the bench in Jamaica and played the full 90 minutes against Atlanta. But Inter Miami announced early Monday evening that Messi felt discomfort in his thigh area during Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United

According to a team release: Messi underwent an MRI Monday morning to assess the extent of the discomfort in his adductor region, which he experienced during Sunday night’s match against Atlanta United. The examination’s findings confirmed the presence of a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle. His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano gave no indication in the post-game interview in Atlanta Sunday night that Messi was injured. He praised Messi, saying of his first-half goal: “That was a goal that only he could have scored, the best player in the history of the sport. There is nothing else to say. He is a player who has the ability to produce the most beautiful goals one can ever see.”

Argentina, which sits in first place in South American World Cup qualifying, will face second-placed Uruguay on the road Friday and host fifth-placed Brazil four days later in Buenos Aires. Inter Miami returns to MLS action Mar. 29 at home against Philadelphia Union. Miami is in first place in the Eastern Conference and Philadelphia is second.