Messi to Miss Argentina Friendlies Against El Salvador and Costa Rica Due to Injury
The captain of the Argentine national football team, Lionel Messi, will be sidelined due to a muscle injury, which will prevent him from participating in the two friendly matches that the team, coached by Lionel Scaloni, will play in the United States against El Salvador and Costa Rica, official sources announced on Monday.
Although there was speculation throughout the weekend about whether the 'Pulga' would be part of the squad or not, after missing his team's match, Inter Miami, against DC United in the MLS, the official account of the
Argentine national team published on Monday that the captain "will not be able to join the squad" for the friendlies "due to a minor injury to the hamstring of his right leg."
His coach at the American team, Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, had already referred to it in the press conference after Saturday's match, talking about his goal of having the player fit for the Concacaf Champions League quarter-final match scheduled for April 3.
"The injury, beyond today's absence, needs to be managed week by week. We take advantage of having full weeks, and we will constantly evaluate him," explained Martino, who added: "Regarding the national team issue, I think the people from the national team should speak about it."
In the last hours, Roma forward Paulo Dybala and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios have also pulled out of the squad. Days ago, Bournemouth's defender, Marcos Senesi, had done the same.
Scaloni added Betis midfielder Guido Rodríguez to the squad. Last week, he included Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez to be part of the group, despite the ligament sprain he suffered in February, which has kept him away from the English team.
Additionally, he integrated Boca Juniors central defender Nicolás Valentini due to Senesi's absence.
Argentina will play against El Salvador on March 22 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and on March 26 against Costa Rica at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, in preparatory matches for the Copa America, a tournament that will also be held in the United States in June and July, where Argentina will defend the title won in Brazil in 2021.
