Argentina captain Lionel Messi will not be on parade at the Krasnodar Stadium, Krasnodar, venue friendly between Argentina and Nigeria on Tuesday, November 14.
According to Ole Argentina, manager of the two-time world champions Jorge Sampaoli has opted not to field his skipper against the Super Eagles.
And it has been suggested that the striker will only feature against World Cup hosts Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow on November 11.
This same scenario happened in the Albiceleste’s last international friendlies against Brazil (June 9) and Singapore (June 13), when Messi went the distance against the Seleção but was omitted from the match day squad against the Asians.
Messi has faced the Nigerian national teams five times and has scored six goals, including four against the Super Eagles.