Argentina Will Be Without Lionel Messi For Their Upcoming Friendlies Due To Injury
Lionel Messi has been sidelined from Argentina’s upcoming friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica due to a hamstring injury. The Inter Miami forward has enjoyed a stellar start to the 2024 season, tallying five goals and two assists in five competitive matches.
However, he was absent from Saturday’s victory over DC United following an injury sustained in the previous Wednesday’s 3-1 triumph against Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Messi contributed a goal and an assist before exiting early in the second half due to a hamstring issue.
Inter Miami manager Tata Martino stated after the DC United match that Messi’s injury will require ongoing evaluation on a “week by week” basis.
Martino informed reporters that Messi’s injury will require week-by-week assessment and evaluation. He emphasized that the primary objective is for Messi to be fit for the CONCACAF quarterfinals. Regarding his injury, Martino stated, “He has a muscle injury. The selection issue is for the people of the national team to talk about.”
Argentina, the World Cup holders, have officially announced that Messi will not be included in the squad for their upcoming friendlies due to a “minor” hamstring injury. A statement on Argentina’s official website stated, “The captain of Argentina, Lionel Messi, will not be able to join the squad for the friendlies in the USA due to a minor injury to the hamstring of his right leg, sustained in his team’s match against Nashville SC for Inter Miami CF.”
Consequently, Argentina’s top goal scorer and appearance-maker will miss the opportunity to increase his tally of 106 goals scored in 180 international matches.
Although Messi won’t be available for the current international window, he is still anticipated to play a crucial role in Argentina’s defense of their Copa America title, scheduled to commence on June 20.
Alongside Messi’s absence, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has encountered injuries leading to withdrawals from Marcos Senesi, Paulo Dybala, and Exequiel Palacios.
In response to these setbacks, Scaloni has decided to include Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez in the squad for the forthcoming matches in the USA.
Argentina is slated to face El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22, followed by a match against Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26.
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