MADRID, March 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s
friendly against Morocco next week after picking up a groin injury in the
shock 3-1 defeat to Venezuela on Friday as he made his first international
appearance since the 2018 World Cup.
Barcelona star Messi started the fixture following a self-imposed eight-
month exile in which he missed six friendlies since the tournament in Russia,
which they exited in the last 16 at the hands of eventual champions France.
The Argentine Football Federation tweeted the injury update following the
loss at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
Gonzalo Martinez has also been ruled out of the fixture in Tangier with a
thigh problem.
Salomon Rondon and Jhon Murillo gave Venezuela a two-goal advantage at the
break.
Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez halved the deficit before Josef Martinez
scored from the spot to claim the spoils in the friendly.
Messi’s 129th cap started poorly as Newcastle forward Rondon controlled a
long ball before hammering home a half-volley past Argentine goalkeeper
Franco Armani.
The pick of the goals came as 23-year-old Murillo scored for only a third
time in 17 internationals.
He received the ball on the corner of the box, was given plenty of space by
the Albiceleste defence and the winger fired home powerfully past Armani with
a minute left of the first half.
Argentina’s Martinez gave his side some hope on the hour mark as Messi
found Giovanni Lo Celso who played in the Inter forward to finish.
Rafael Dudamel’s side, ranked 32nd in the world, claimed a third after
Martinez was tripped in the box.
The Atlanta United attacker skipped up to take the penalty, sending Armani
the wrong way to score with 15 minutes remaining.
The friendly against Morocco on Tuesday comes as they prepare for this
year’s Copa America, held in Brazil between June-July.