NEW YORK (AP) — Two-time FIFA player of the year Lionel Messi and several others will not join their Barcelona teammates on a three-match tour of the United States in the coming weeks.
The reigning UEFA Champions League champions will be without their star striker, who will be given some time to rest after playing for Argentina in the Copa America. Also getting time to rest after the Copa are Daniel Alves, Javier Mascherano and newly signed Alexis Sanchez.
Barcelona, as part of the World Football Challenge, will take on English Premier League champion Manchester United at FedExField in Landover, Md., on July 30. Barcelona will also face Chivas Guadalajara on Aug. 3 in Miami and Club America at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Aug. 6.
