Lionel Messi will not play in Argentina's two friendlies in the United States this month due to a right leg muscle injury, the Argentine Football Association said on Monday. The captain was injured last week while playing for his Inter Miami club in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The 36-year-old Messi will miss Argentina vs. El Salvador on Friday in Philadelphia and a friendly against Costa Rica four days later in Los Angeles, AFA said in a statement. DC United 1-3 Inter Miami MLS 2024: Luis Suarez Scores Brace to Help The Herons Secure Crucial Three Points in Absence of Lionel Messi.

Both games are warmups for Argentina for the Copa America in June-July, which will also be in the U.S. Argentina had already lost striker Paulo Dybala and midfielder Exequiel Palacios to injuries.

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