Lionel Messi won't play Argentina games against Iraq and Brazil
The Barcelona star will not join up with his national team next month
Lionel Messi, who has not played for Argentina since the World Cup in Russia, will not be involved in the friendly matches against Iraq and Brazil in Saudi Arabia on October 11 and October 16, repsectively.
The announcement was made by interim coach Lionel Scaloni on Monday while in London in an interview with Fox Sports.
"No, [Messi] won't come," he said. "It's obvious that I speak with him, everyone knows I have a great relationship with him. I spoke with him and we still think the same: that for now it's best that he doesn't come.
"We're in a different era and the kids that are with the national team now have to keep playing, keep wearing the national team shirt and showing what they can offer. That's the important thing."
"Later, in the future, when the [new] manager comes, he will decide if these kids have the ability to keep playing for Argentina or if he will call up the players that have given us so much."
Messi also missed September's friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia in the United States.
DATE FOR RETURN
It's estimated that the Barcelona forward will return to international football for the 2019 Copa America, which will be played in Brazil between June 14 and July 7 next year.
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