Messi out of starting lineup for Argentina
CHICAGO (AP) — Lionel Messi is out of the starting lineup for Argentina's Copa America game against Panama.
Messi is returning from a back injury and manager Gerardo Martino said he would play Friday night at Soldier Field. But the five-time FIFA Player of the Year will begin the game on the bench.
Sergio Romero is in goal for Argentina. Gabriel Mercado, Ramiro Funes Mori, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Otamendi are the starting defenders, and Augusto Fernandez, Javier Mascherano and Ever Banega are in the midfield. Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Nicolas Gaitan are the starting forwards.
Fans of the Argentinian soccer team wait for their arrival before a Copa America Centenario group D soccer match at Soldier Field between Argentina and Panama Friday, June 10, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Blas Perez leads the Panama attack after he scored two goals in its 2-1 victory over Bolivia in its Copa opener on Monday. Jaime Penedo is in goal.
A young fan of the Argentinian soccer team wait for their arrival before a Copa America Centenario group D soccer match at Soldier Field between Argentina and Panama Friday, June 10, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
A Panamanian soccer team fan makes a video of himself as he waits for their arrival before a Copa America Centenario group D soccer match between Argentina and Panama at Soldier Field Friday, June 10, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
