Lionel Messi leaves Argentina friendly vs. Honduras with back injury
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Argentina's Lionel Messi exited Friday's friendly against Honduras in the 64th minute of the game with an apparent back injury that was later called a deep lumbar hematoma, Argentina's football federation announced.
Messi was replaced by Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega after taking a knee to the back while trying to get a ball in the middle of the pitch. He stayed on the ground for a while before being tended to off the field, where he underwent an MRI and CT scan.
Watch the hit below:
Argentina came away with the 1–0 victory as Gonzalo Higuain scored the lone goal of the match.
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The Copa America Centenario is scheduled to begin next month with Argentina opening the tournament against Chile on June 6.
Messi was featured on the cover of this week's Sports Illustratedwith an essay in his own words about playing in the tournament.
