Messi set to miss forthcoming Argentina friendly games

Despite official confirmation from the AFA (Argentine Football association) still pending, it is widely expected that Lionel Messi will not be able to participate in the forthcoming friendlies the Albiceleste will hold against El Salvador on Friday 22 March and Costa Rica the following Tuesday.

The captain of the national side is still being troubled by muscular problems in his right hamstring and it’s been agreed by all parties that the striker can use the international break as a period to recover with Messi expected to be absent from the pitch for both Inter Miami and the Argentine national team.

“I said Leo would not be in today’s game and he wasn’t. He has a muscle injury and I think it’s up to the national team people to talk about the national team.” said Martino at a press conference after his team’s away win in Washington DC.

Messi was not named in the matchday squad as Inter Miami secured a 3-1 win over DC United on Saturday.

When will Lionel Messi return for Inter Miami?

Messi has begun the 2024 campaign in his own inimitable style. The Inter Miami captain has recorded five goals and two assists in his opening five games of the new season, helping his team to the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and making a promising start in MLS.

His latest muscular issue comes at a bad time for Miami, who were hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s league defeat to CF Montreal.

With an international break on the horizon Messi may not feature again for Miami this month and the Herons will hope the Argentine is back for the key CONCACAF Champions Cup two legged tie as Inter Miami face Liga MX big-guns Monterrey in the quarterfinals with the first leg scheduled for 3 April in Florida.