Lionel Messi ruled out of Argentina friendlies through injury

Lionel Messi is set to miss out on Argentina's upcoming friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica after picking up an injury playing for Inter Miami.

The forward has missed the last two games for his club after suffering a hamstring injury. He was substituted early in the squad's victory over Nashville in the Concacaf Champions Cup due to an in issue with his right leg.

Now it seems the national captain will miss out on playing for his country too, as he is ruled out of upcoming friendlies.

A statement released by Argentina read: "The captain of Argentina Lionel Messi will not be able to be in the squad for friendlies in the USA due to a minor injury to the hamstring of his right leg suffered in his team's Inter Miami's match against Nashville."

Inter Miami boss Tata Martino addressed the star's injury, saying: "We tried to make him continue but he told us he wasn't feeling well, so he was substituted as a precaution. Messi's injury must be dealt with week by week, and we will evaluate it.

"We'll continuously evaluate what he's doing. The objective is for him to arrive to be able to play in the quarterfinals of Concacaf Champions Cup. We don't want to take a risk."

Messi is now set to continue his rehabilitation with Inter Miami, with the MLS side hoping that their star player will be fit to face Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarter-final on April 4.

Argentina are set to face El Salvador on March 23 and Costa Rica on March 27.

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