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Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Argentina’s next friendlies with El Salvador and Costa Rica owing to a hamstring issue.
The Inter Miami attacker has started the 2024 season on fire, scoring five goals and assisting twice in five competitive games.
However, he was forced to miss Saturday’s match against DC United due to an injury sustained in last Wednesday’s 3-1 CONCACAF Champions Cup triumph over Nashville.
Messi scored and assisted before being substituted early in the second period due to a hamstring injury.
After Saturday’s game against DC United, Inter Miami manager Tata Martino confirmed that Messi’s injury will be evaluated on a “week by week” basis.
Lionel Messi ‘set to miss friendly match against El Salvador and Costa Rica’
Martino told reporters, “Messi’s injury must be addressed week by week, and we will assess it.” What is apparent is that he has a goal: to participate in the CONCACAF quarterfinals. He suffered a muscular injury. The selection issue is for the national team members to discuss.
The World Cup holders have revealed that Messi will miss their forthcoming friendlies owing to a “minor” ailment.
A statement posted on Argentina’s official X page said: “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 Inter Miami CF match against Nashville SC.”
As a result, Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer and appearance maker will lose out on the opportunity to add to his 106 goals in 180 international games.
Despite being sidelined for the current international time, Messi is anticipated to play a crucial role in Argentina’s Copa America championship defence, which begins on June 20.
In addition to Messi’s absence, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has lost Marcos Senesi, Paulo Dybala, and Exequiel Palacios due to injuries.
Following those withdrawals, Scaloni has decided to add Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez to his roster for the next games in the United States.
Argentina will face El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22 before traveling to Los Angeles to play Costa Rica on March 26.
