Messi was sidelined for Argentina's friendlies after a hamstring injury. Uncertain return for Inter Miami's quarter final clash. (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine footballer, will be sidelined for Argentina's upcoming friendly matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica due to a hamstring injury. The setback occurred during Inter Miami's CONCACAF Champions Cup victory over Nashville, where Messi was substituted in the 51st minute. Consequently, he was absent from Miami's subsequent match against D.C. United.
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has officially declared Messi's unavailability for the friendlies scheduled in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. According to AFA sources, Messi sustained a minor hamstring injury in his right leg, necessitating his absence from the national team.
Speculation surrounds Messi's potential return, with a possible comeback slated for April 4 during Inter Miami's clash against Monterrey in the Champions Cup quarterfinals. Tata Martino, the team's head coach, emphasized the cautious approach, stating, "We'll continuously evaluate what he's doing. The objective is for him to arrive to be able to play in the quarterfinals of Champions Cup. We don't want to take a risk."
In the ongoing season, Messi has participated in five matches across various competitions for Inter Miami, showcasing his prowess with five goals and two assists. Despite his absence, Miami secured a 3-1 victory over the weekend, propelled by Luis Suarez's brace. As of now, Argentina has not named a replacement for Messi in the squad.
