Argentina has made changes to its upcoming exhibition matches in preparation for the Copa America tournament. The national team was set to tour China but had to cancel after star player Lionel Messi missed a preseason game in Hong Kong. As a result, Argentina will now face El Salvador on March 22 at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field and Nigeria four days later at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Argentina Football Association announced the revised schedule, with Messi expected to join the team for these crucial matches. This means he will likely miss Miami's Major League Soccer game against the New York Red Bulls on March 23. Originally, Argentina was supposed to play Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing during the China tour from March 18-26.
Messi had cited a groin injury before the friendly match in Hong Kong, which led to his absence and disappointment among fans. However, he did participate in an exhibition game against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo just three days later.
Argentina, the reigning world and South American champions, will kick off their Copa America campaign against either Canada or Trinidad and Tobago on June 20 in Atlanta. Subsequent matches include facing Chile in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 25, and Peru in Miami Gardens, Florida, on June 29.
