Argentina’s national association announced on Monday that Lionel Messi will be absent from the upcoming friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica due to a right hamstring injury.
The Argentina captain sustained the injury during last week’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against Nashville, where he was substituted early in the second half. As a result, he also missed Saturday’s league victory over D.C. United.
Inter Miami CF coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino stated that Messi’s condition will be monitored on a week-by-week basis.
Although initially included in Argentina’s squad for the friendlies against El Salvador in Philadelphia and Costa Rica in Los Angeles, Messi’s participation changed following the update from the AFA on Monday.
According to ESPN Argentina, Messi might join the national team later in the week to undergo part of his recovery process with their medical staff before returning to Florida.
Several Argentina players, including Manchester City striker Julián Álvarez, have already arrived in Philadelphia, with the remainder of the squad expected to join them by Tuesday.
These matches serve as preparation for Argentina’s Copa America campaign in June and July, with the tournament also taking place in the U.S.
Argentina has already faced setbacks with injuries to striker Paulo Dybala and midfielder Exequiel Palacios.
