New Jersey: Lionel Messi looks set to miss a second friendly with Argentina this week due to a "mystery" injury in his right foot.
Messi sat out his country's 2-0 friendly win over El Salvador in Washington DC last Saturday, and now seems unlikely to play in Tuesday's game against Ecuador in New Jersey due to a problem which national coach Gerardo Martino says causes pain whenever he puts on his boots.
The issue has raised alarm bells back in Barcelona, where the superstar had showed no signs of injury during recent outstanding performances in La Liga and the Champions League.
A Spanish newspaper claims that the "mysterious" problem was picked up during the recent 2-1 'Clasico' win over Real Madrid, and worsened over his first few days with the national squad last week.
The Albiceleste coach told at his pre-game news conference that no final decision had yet been made over whether Messi could play against Ecuador, but there was no need to take any risks in the friendly game.
"[Messi] is comfortable in runners, but it hurts when he puts on his boots," ex-Barca coach Martino said. "We will see if he can play or not. He is not ruled out. But there is no need to take risks with Leo, or with anyone. It would be unforgivable, having the reports, not to be prudent."
Messi is expected back in Catalonia later this week, with the Liga leaders in action on Sunday evening at Celta Vigo.
Carlos Tevez said he was "overjoyed" at making his first start for Argentina in almost four years last Saturday.
Tevez, who was fielded up front alongside Gonzalo Higuain by Gerardo Martino, was left in the international wilderness by former boss Alejandro Sabella.
However, following Martino's appointment last summer, the Juventus forward made his first appearance since 2011's Copa America from off the bench against Croatia in November, before starting in Saturday's clash in Washington, D.C.
"I was overjoyed - playing from the start is totally different to being brought off the bench," Tevez told a football-specific website.
"It definitely gives you more confidence. This game can be good for the team because plenty of our potential Copa America 2015 opponents play in such a closed-up manner. It requires patience to break the deadlock and we are on the right track. We must continue to grow but this is just the beginning and it was important for me personally to get more game time for my country."
Meanwhile, Barcelona forward Neymar has said he has no current plans to follow Alexis Sanchez to the Premier League. Neymar, 23, signed for Barcelona from Santos in 2013 and has formed an impressive understanding with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez up front.
The forward was in England at Emirates Stadium on Sunday for Brazil's 1-0 win over Sanchez's Chile, and Neymar was asked about the possibility of a move away from La Liga.
Neymar said: "As for playing in England myself, I'm very happy playing for Barcelona and I still have a long road to walk here."
In June last year, Neymar revealed in his book, Neymar: My Story, how Pele helped persuade him to turn down a move to Chelsea and stay with Santos.
And in 2010, then-Brazil coach Mano Menezes cautioned Neymar against joining Chelsea, saying the teenager would benefit from continuing his education with Santos.
Sanchez was teammates with Neymar at Camp Nou until he signed for Arsenal last summer.
"Alexis is a big friend," Neymar added, "and someone who I had the privilege of playing with at Barcelona. We used to get along very well on and off the field, so I'm very happy to see him so well at Arsenal."
Sanchez echoed Neymar's sentiments by expressing his admiration for the Brazil international, who has scored 17 La Liga goals for Barca this season.
"Neymar raised everyone's spirits as he is a very joyful person," Sanchez said.
"I hope he never changes. His happiness is contagious and that's something I really like. Regarding his quality, I cannot come up with something new. Everybody knows how good he is. He dares to so some stuff with the ball no one would dare to that. That's the beauty of football."
