Argentina captain Lionel Messi will not participate in the upcoming three friendlies with his national team against Chile, Mexico, and Germany in September, and October after being suspended by Conmebol, the South American Football Confederation.
The Conmebol banned the Barcelona forward from playing with Argentina for three months after he claimed that the 2019 Copa America was "corrupt." He was also fined $50,000 by Conmebol because of his comments.
Messi was sent off during Argentina's third-place play-off game against Chile in Brazil, where they claimed the bronze medal after securing a 2-1 victory.
"We don't have to be part of this corruption. They have shown us a lack of respect throughout this tournament. Sadly, the corruption, the referees, they don't allow people to enjoy football, they ruined it a bit," he said.
Argentina will play their first friendly without Messi against Chile on Friday, September 6 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the United States. Their second warm-up game will be against Mexico on Tuesday, September 10 in the US.
Argentina will play their third friendly clash without Messi against German on Wednesday, October 9 at Westfalenstadion stadium.
Messi will participate with his national team in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, which will start on March 2020.
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