According to Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino, Lionel Messi, who was injured against Nashville last Wednesday, will not be able to play for the Argentine national team in their two friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica next week.

Lionel Messi went down during a showdown against Nashville last Wednesday in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 and will not be able to play for Argentina’s national team in their two friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica on March 23 and 27. The MLS has also published the list of players retained by their respective national teams, and Messi is not included. The Argentinian Football Federation has yet to comment on the matter.

The world champion was forced off the pitch in the 50th minute after scoring a goal and providing an assist for Luis Suarez to propel his team (3-1, 5-3 on aggregate) into the quarterfinals of the North, Central American and Caribbean Champions League. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to rejoin the Albiceleste squad once he’s healthy, where doctors will assess the seriousness of his injury.

Martino, who was without Messi for the weekend’s 3-1 victory over DC United in the MLS, is aiming to get his star back for the first leg of the quarterfinal against Mexico’s CF Monterrey, which is scheduled for April 4 in Florida.

This post is originally from L’Équipe