Messi out of Argentina friendlies: federation

Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Argentina's upcoming friendlies in the United States due to a hamstring injury, the Argentina Football Association confirmed.

The Inter Miami superstar was due to line up for the world champions in friendlies against El Salvador in Philadelphia on Friday before facing Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26.

However, the 36-year-old Argentine captain has not recovered after tweaking a hamstring during Miami's 3-1 victory over Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Messi, who was substituted just after half-time in the win over Nashville, missed Miami's win over D.C. United in Washington on Saturday.

"The captain of Argentina, Lionel Messi, will not be able to be in the squad for the friendlies in USA due to a minor injury to the hamstring of his right leg suffered in his team's match against Nashville SC," the Argentine federation said in a post on X.