Messi suffered a right hamstring injury and withdrew from Argentina's two matches against El Salvador (March 2) and Costa Rica (March 23.3, both Vietnam time) taking place in the US. Meanwhile, Ronaldo was on the list of 27.3 players for the Portuguese team called up for friendly matches against Sweden (March 32) and Slovenia (March 22.3), but at the last moment his name was removed by coach Roberto Martinez.
Messi can only come to meet his teammates to encourage them
Missing Messi is beyond the plans of the Argentina team and coach Scaloni, because this famous player plays a very important role in plans towards the goal of defending the Copa America championship (taking place from June 20.6 to July 14.7).
According to the Argentine Football Federation (AFA): "Messi will focus on recovering from his hamstring injury and will not play in the upcoming matches. He will return to the team at FIFA Days in early June and participate in the preparation process for Copa America."
Although he will not play, there is news that Messi will go to Philadelphia or Los Angeles, where the Argentina team will play two matches, to meet and encourage his teammates, according to journalist Gaston Edul of TyC Sports channel.
“Without Messi, Coach Scaloni will also have the opportunity to test some new options in the Argentine team's attack. The opponents El Salvador and Costa Rica are not too strong, so this is a very suitable opportunity for the team to have experiments. Maybe Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is the one wearing the number 10 shirt left behind by Messi. Others such as Di Maria (wearing shirt number 11), Julian Alvarez (9), Lautaro Martinez (22) and Enzo Fernandez (17), will be key players in the attack of the Argentine team", Gaston Edul share.
In addition, coach Scaloni also called up some young players such as Facundo Buonanotte, Valetin Carboni and Alejandro Garnacho to test more playing options for the Argentina team.
Ronaldo went on vacation with his family
According to ESPN, coach Roberto Martinez has eliminated captain Ronaldo from the shortlist of 24 players for the Portuguese team about to play against Sweden (March 22.3). The reason, this Spanish coach wants to give the famous Portuguese player more time to rest with his family, after the recent stressful match schedule at Al Nassr Club.
Ronaldo posted a clip with his family on vacation at a tourist destination in Saudi Arabia
Ronaldo and his family are currently resting at a tourist destination in Saudi Arabia. Also absent like Ronaldo are Diogo Dalot, Cancelo, Danilo Pereira, Otavio, Ruben Neves, Vitinha and Joao Felix.
These players will gather with the Portuguese team after the match against Sweden at home, to prepare for the next match against Slovenia (March 27.3) away. However, it remains open whether Ronaldo will come to focus on the competition or continue to be allowed to rest.
