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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentina schedule March friendlies in USA</li><li>Set to play Nigeria and El Salvador</li><li>Chinese Government canceled original matches over Messi preseason bust-up</li></ul>

Lionel Messi and Argentina are going on a U.S. tour! La Albiceleste schedule March friendlies against Nigeria and El Salvador in Los Angeles and Philadelphia

After having their originally planned March international friendlies in China <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-china-feud-officials-incredibly-cancel-two-argentina-friendlies-furious-inter-miami-bench/blt94bafeea3abfb6a1" target="_blank">cancelled</a>, La Albiceleste now have plans for the upcoming FIFA window. They're now set to take on AFCON powerhouse Nigeria and Concacaf side El Salvador in the build-up to this summer's Copa America.

WHAT HAPPENED?

During the 2024 MLS preseason, Messi's Inter Miami went on a world tour that saw them stop and play in Asia against Vissel Kobe and a Hong Kong XI. Against the latter, however, the Heron' maestro sat out the match due to what he explained was<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/lionel-messi-reveals-why-skipped-inter-miami-s-hong-kong-friendly-claiming-false-reports-led-fans-astray/blt1b10c3f3df07451e" target="_blank"> 'pain in his adductor.'</a>As a result, there was uproar from fans and the Chinese government over him sitting out, with one official going as far as saying he should be<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-should-never-be-allowed-back-hong-kong-fury-grows-after-inter-miami-no-show/blt6759b2b8e4b02883#cs6bbc67813ebeb021" target="_blank"> banned from the country.</a>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi has already played the El Salvador national team once this season - but without Argentina. In a unique scenario, Inter Miami played a preseason match against the CONCACAF side in January, where the two team drew 0-0.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Herons superstar will continue his start to the 2024 MLS season, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/robert-taylor-diego-gomez-inter-miami-lionel-messi-real-salt-lake/blt4e7e60664983795d" target="_blank">Inter Miami beginning their campaign with three points Wednesday evening</a>. He'll follow it up with a string of matches before reporting for national team duty in a little under a month's time.

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI AND ARGENTINA?

Lionel Messi and Argentina are going on a U.S. tour! La Albiceleste schedule March friendlies against Nigeria and El Salvador in Los Angeles and Philadelphia | Goal.com

Lionel Messi and Argentina have scheduled a pair of friendlies in the USA this March against Nigeria and the El Salvador national team.