Argentina vs Honduras. International Match.
San Juan del Bicentenario.
Friday 3 June 2016 07:40, UK
Lionel Messi left the pitch "in intense pain" with a back injury to overshadow Argentina's 1-0 win over Honduras in their only warm-up fixture before the Copa America.
The Argentina captain was left clutching his lower back after being accidentally kneed by an onrushing Honduran, having tumbled over midway through the second half, and was immediately substituted at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario.
Messi grimaced as he left the field to be replaced by Ever Banega to leave a serious question mark over whether he will be fit to lead Argentina's challenge in the Copa America, which gets under way next week in the United States.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner found the net once and provided three assists in his country's march to the final of the competition last year and as their second highest goalscorer of all-time, the Albiceleste will hope he recovers in time for their opener against defending champions Chile on June 6.
Team doctor Daniel Martinez said: "We did a scan on him at the stadium and then took him to do an ultrasound and an MRI.
"Thankfully we didn't find any bone damage or fractures but there is a large contusion. There's inflammation around the back of his ribcage and in the soft tissue. The pain is making it difficult to move normally, to turn, to cough.
"He was in intense pain on the field. The most worrying thing was the pain because, as I said, it was intense.
"Sometimes being warm means you don't feel anything but here was the complete opposite: Messi was in a lot of pain."
The Barcelona star was unsurprisingly the focal point of Argentina's attacks early on and the home side deservedly took the lead just after the half hour through a bit of brilliance from Gonzalo Higuain.
The Napoli striker collected the ball from Marcos Rojo, twisted into the area before nutmegging a Honduran defender and chipping over goalkeeper Donis Escober.
Messi was withdrawn in the 64th minute although Argentina continued to press forward, with Escober producing a fine save from substitute Sergio Aguero while Gabriel Mercado hit the woodwork with his effort.
Banega could have killed the game off as the game entered its closing stages and although his dipping strike was denied by Escober, Argentina claimed a confidence-boosting win, albeit one that did not come without its pitfalls.
