The Barcelona star will not be risked in the friendly game at the Etihad.

Most predicted lineups had the 30-year-old talisman featuring in attack for Albicelesti but the official list that was released prior to the start of the game confirmed that the player will not be available for the clash with Italy - at least not for the first part.

Lionel Messi is believed to have picked up a slight muscular discomfort in Thursday’s training and was immediately ruled out of the impending encounter although there was the condition that he might make the squad provided he passed the fitness test prior to the game. 

Speaking to TyC Sports in the build up to the game, Messi declared: 

"I always want to play but there's still a long way until the World Cup." 

His named was featured among the substitutes but there are still doubts that he will play any role in the match. In his place, PSG’s Lo Celso was given the nod to feature in attack with the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Angel Di Maria, and Gonzalo Higuain. 

Here are what some fans had to say regarding the player’s exclusion from the game: