Lionel Messi watch: Star leaves Argentina-Honduras friendly with injury

Here’s the big question—really, the scariest one for any team set to face Argentina in the upcoming Copa America Centenario—will Lionel Messi play? Of course, the plan is that he will, and he’s excited for it; check Grant Wahl’s latest Sports Illustrated cover story for everything on that.


But things took a dramatic turn on Friday during a friendly between Argentina and Honduras, ESPN FC reported. According to their account, Messi took a knee to the torso during the 64th minute and left the game, wincing, with a back injury.


Although he’s apparently got a bruise, it’s not such a snap to take down arguably the world’s best player. Right now, according to ESPN FC, after a court appearance in Barcelona, he’s still expected to fly to Santa Clara, California, to keep training with Argentina. Nobody breathe easy, okay?


Argentina's first game in the tournament is against Chile on Monday, June 6 (10 p.m ET, FS1).