We are now officially holding our breath. Argentina's 1-0 win over Honduras Friday night was marred by the fact that the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, had to leave the game because he got hurt.
This is, obviously, not good news ahead of a great chance for Argentina to break their 23-year major trophy drought.
From the Associated Press, via NBC Sports:
“Messi suffered a trauma to the left side of his lower back and rib cage,” the Argentine Football (Soccer) Association said in a statement, adding that doctors were looking at the injury.
Messi is not a player who leaves the field with minor injuries like he did Friday at San Juan’s Bicentenario stadium.
“I would not dare to venture a diagnosis,” said a concerned Argentine manager, Gerardo Martino.
There is never a good time for your star player getting hurt, but the final tune-up before a major international tournament is an especially bad time. The extent of Messi's injury isn't known at this time, but we hope it isn't serious, because we really want to watch him in the Copa America.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
