Argentina manager: Lionel Messi will play against Panama on Friday

Lionel Messi will play for Argentina in their Copa America Centenario match against Panama on Friday (9:30 pm ET; FOX, UniMas, UDN).


Messi missed Argentina’s 2-1 win against Chile on Monday due to a back injury sustained in a pre-Copa friendly against Honduras on May 27.


“Leo trained with the group normally,” Argentina head coach Gerardo Martino told reporters on Thursday in Chicago. “There is nothing unusual, and he will play tomorrow.”


The Barcelona superstar and his Argentina teammates will take on Panama at Soldier Field on Friday night. Panama, who got two goals from Vancouver Whitecaps forward Blas Perez to beat Bolivia 2-1 on Monday in their Copa opener, are currently tied with Argentina atop Group D.