Lionel Messi's muscle injury, which prevented him from playing in the last match of Inter Miami and DC United, risks compromising his participation with the Argentine national team during the planned tour to the United States.
The hamstring injury in his right leg, confirmed after his withdrawal from last Wednesday's match against Nashville, could make it difficult for Messi to participate in the two friendlies against the Central American teams, El Salvador (March 23) and Argentina. Costa Rica (March 26).
His coach in the United States, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, addressed this topic during the press conference following the Inter Miami match, emphasizing his aim to preserve Lionel Messi's fitness for the quarter-final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. “We have to deal with it week by week. We are taking advantage of the fact that we have a full week and we will constantly evaluate the situation. Before adding: “It seems to me that the national team should decide on this subject”, and adding that he should not be able to play.
Argentina will face El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on March 23 (1 a.m. PT) and Costa Rica at the Los Angeles Coliseum on March 26 (10 p.m. PT) in preparation matches for the Copa América .