Lionel Messi has been named among the substitutes for Argentina’s friendly against Italy at Manchester City’s Etihad stadium on Friday leaving many fans disapointed.
Barcelona forward Messi suffered an adductor strain in training on Thursday according to reports in the Argentine and Spanish press.
Because of a busy end to the club season and his role in leading his country at the upcoming World Cup, Messi wasn’t going to risk aggravating the problem.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Giovani Lo Celso is to replace the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in the starting line up
Barcelona are in a good position to win the third treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey in Messi’s career.
The Catalans lead La Liga by 11 points, face Roma in the Champions League quarter-finals later this month and play Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final on April 21.
And at 30, the World Cup could be Messi’s final opportunity to crown his glorious career by winning a major international tournament with Argentina for the first time.
It remains to be seen if Messi features in Argentina’s next World Cup warm-up friendly against Spain in Madrid on Tuesday.