BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Wednesday's international friendly against World Cup winners Germany with a leg injury.
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The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Monday that Messi will be held out of the game as a "precaution."
The match in Dusseldorf is a chance for Argentina to avenge their 1-0 extra-time defeat to Germany in the World Cup final almost two months ago.
Barcelona said Messi was injured on Sunday in a 1-0 victory over Villarreal.
Messi scored four goals at the World Cup and was given the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
The AFA also ruled out three other players with injuries: defender Ezequiel Garay, midfielder Maxi Rodriguez and forward Rodrigo Palacio.
New Argentine coach Gerardo Martino has called up two players as replacements: midfielder Nicolas Gaitan and forward Erik Lamela.