BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Wednesday’s international friendly against World Cup winners Germany with a right-leg injury.
The Argentine Football Association said Monday that Messi will be held out of the game as a “precaution.”
The match in Dusseldorf is a chance for Argentina to avenge a 1-0 loss to Germany in extra time in the World Cup final almost two months ago.
Barcelona said Messi was injured on Sunday in a 1-0 victory over Villarreal.
Messi scored four goals at the World Cup and was given the award as the tournament’s best player.
AFA also ruled out three other players with injuries: defender Ezequiel Garay, midfielder Maxi Rodriguez and forward Rodrigo Palacio.
New Argentine coach Gerardo Martino has called up two players as replacements: midfielder Nicolas Gaitan and forward Erik Lamela.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
