Argentina roster: How many Inter Miami games will Lionel Messi miss?
The world champions have named a strong squad to take on Ecuador and Guatemala in international friendlies ahead of next month’s Copa América.
Argentina have named a strong roster for next month’s international friendlies, with Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi included in Lionel Scaloni’s team. The world champions will take on Ecuador (9 June) and Guatemala (14 June) in a brace of games designed to aid preparations for this summer’s Copa América.
La Albiceste are the reigning Copa América champions after Scaloni led them to the triumph in 2019. This time around they will be many people’s pre-tournament favourites and are taking no chances with the preparations.
#SelecciónMayor Nómina de futbolistas convocados para los dos amistosos preliminares que jugará @Argentina ante @LaTri y @fedefut_oficial.
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 20, 2024
¡Vamos @Argentina! 🩵🤍🩵 pic.twitter.com/42qsdOcwXG
Captain Lionel Messi will be with the team for both warm-up fixtures, leaving Inter Miami to compete for his nation. The 36-year-old has been in incredible form in MLS this season, registering ten goals and nine assists in ten appearances.
How long will Lionel Messi be unavailable for?
Messi will likely play three more games for Inter Miami before jetting off with Argentina. His final MLS match before departing will be a home game against St. Louis City on Saturday 1 June. Even if Argentina are eliminated in the group stages of this summer’s tournament, he will be with the national team squad until their final first round fixture on 29 June. Even in this unlikely eventuality he would miss five games for the Herons.
Related stories
If Argentina progress deep into the tournament Messi could be competing with Argentina until 15 July. If that were to happen Messi would miss seven Inter Miami fixtures, at least. It’s a far from perfect situation for Tata Martino’s team but it’s consequence of having one of the world’s finest players in the squad.
Inter Miami have had a wretched record without Lionel Messi since he joined last summer but are starting to get reliable performances from other attacking players. Matias Rojas looks like an inspired signing and Leo Campana came off the bench to score a crucial late winner last weekend. Luis Suarez has hit the ground running, although not in a literal sense, and has scored 11 goals in 14 MLS appearances to date.
Complete your personal details to comment