Lionel Messi exits Argentina friendly vs. Honduras with back injury
Posted Saturday, May 28, 2016 by ESPN
Lionel Messi was taken off in the second half of Argentina's 1-0 friendly defeat of Honduras on Friday with a bruised lower back.
The Barcelona star went to ground after a knee to his torso and was seen holding his back as he gingerly walked off the field in the 64th minute.
Television cameras then showed trainers rubbing the five-time Balon d'Or winner's lower back on the sidelines before taking him into the tunnel.
Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega came on as Messi's replacement.
Multiple outlets in Argentina reported tests run on the 28-year-old forward came back negative. No further information on his status was given.
It was reported earlier on Friday that Messi is scheduled to fly to Spain on Saturday to appear before a judge at the Audiencia de Barcelona on June 2. He is then expected to fly directly to Santa Clara, California, to rejoin the team for Copa America preparations.
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