Lionel Messi, Neymar to skip Barcelona-Galaxy friendly
Argentina’s Lionel Messi walks away from the Copa America final against Chile on July 4. Chile won in a penalty shootout.
Four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi and Brazilian standout Neymar were left off the Barcelona roster for July friendlies in the U.S., including Tuesday’s exhibition with the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl.
Both players took part in the Copa America tournament, which ended earlier this month, although Neymar was suspended from the event during group play after being red-carded over an attempted head-butt.
Among those who will be in uniform is striker Luis Suarez, midfielders Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic and defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba.
The team is expected to arrive in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon and begin training at the StubHub Center that evening.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jordi Masip, Jose Suarez
Defenders: Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra, Douglas, Adriano, Thomas Vermaelen, Jeremy Mathieu
Midfielders: Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Rafinha, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Aleix Vidal, Alen Halilovic, Sergi Samper, Gerard Gumbau
Forwards: Pedro, Luis Suarez, Arda Turan, Sandro Ramirez, Munir El Haddadi Mohamed
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