Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's upcoming friendlies in the United States due to a hamstring injury, Argentina Football Association confirmed on Monday. The Inter Miami star was set to play for the world champions against El Salvador in Philadelphia on Friday and against Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26.
Following a hamstring tweak during Miami's 3-1 triumph over Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup last week, Messi has not regained full fitness and will be absent from the international friendlies. The Argentine superstar, who was substituted shortly after half-time in the Nashville match, was also absent from Miami's victory over D.C. United in Washington on Saturday.
"The captain of Argentina, Lionel Messi, will not be able to be in the squad for the friendlies in USA due to a minor injury to the hamstring of his right leg suffered in his team's match against Nashville SC," the Argentine federation said in a post on X (formerly Twitter)
Coach Martino's Take On Messi's Injury
Following his team's victory over Washington on Saturday, Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino suggested that Messi might sit out the March internationals. Martino emphasised that the team's focus was on ensuring Messi's fitness for the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals next month.
“It is clear that with him there is an objective that he can play in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. We’re not going to take any risks,” Martino said as quoted by AFP.
The Copa America is set to kick off on June 20th, with Argentina's opening match against Playoff Winner A. Their subsequent fixture is scheduled against Chile on Tuesday, June 26th.
Since making his debut in 2005, Lionel Messi has enjoyed a remarkable career for Argentina, amassing a total of 106 goals and 56 assists in 180 games. These figures represent record tallies for his country in all three categories.
Messi has claimed three senior titles with the national team: the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He played a pivotal role in Argentina's World Cup victory, contributing seven goals and three assists in seven matches, earning him the prestigious Golden Ball award.