LIONEL MESSI is likely to miss Argentina’s international friendly against Spain with a hamstring injury.
The Barcelona star missed the 2-0 win against Italy on Friday night, but hoped to be fit to face the country where he plies his trade.
The 30-year-old trained with the rest of the squad on Sunday and Monday afternoon, but a hamstring problem flared up last night.
Spanish newspaper Marca are now reporting that “it’s already clear the Argentine captain can’t play” and that “except for an 11th hour surprise, Messi won’t play”.
It means he looks once again to be watching from the stands alongside injured Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.
Messi sat out Friday’s 2-0 win over Italy in Manchester as a precaution because of an abductor muscle injury
Before the late setback, the Barcelona superstar was confident about his chances of featuring.
He said: “My idea is to play against Spain.
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“I was left with the choice to play against Italy and didn’t, but I trained normally, I felt good, so I hope to play.”
Spain drew 1-1 with Germany in Dusseldorf on Friday, extending their unbeaten record under Julen Lopetegui to 17 matches.
Rodrigo gave the 2010 World Cup winners an early lead but Thomas Muller’s thunderbolt earned Germany, the current world champions, a share of the spoils.
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