NEW YORK, July 26 – Lionel Messi, a two-time FIFA Player of the Year, is among several Barcelona players who will not play for the reigning UEFA Champions League winners in their upcoming three-match American tour.
The Spanish side’s star striker will be rested after playing in the Copa America this month for Argentina, which flopped and parted ways on Monday with coach Sergio Batista after a disappointing quarter-final exit on home soil.
Also missing from the Barcelona lineup for the US matches will be Daniel Alves, Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sanchez.
Barcelona will open the American visit on Saturday against English Premier League champion Manchester United in suburban Washington in a rematch of the Champions League final.
Barcelona will also play Mexican sides Chivas Guadalajara on August 3 in Miami and Club America at Arlington, Texas, on August 6.
