Messi suffers rib contusion in pre-Copa friendly

Lionel Messi left Argentina's friendly match against Honduras with an apparent back injury Friday.

Messi, the reigning FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, left the contest in the 64th minute after incurring a knee to his back from Honduras midfielder Johnny Leveron.

As a result, Messi was substituted for Ever Banega.

A tweet from the Argentine football federation revealed that Messi suffered a contusion on his rib cage.

"Messi suffered a contusion on his lumbar left side and rib cage. He will undergo a series of medical tests."

Argentine manager Gerardo Martino said he didn't know the results of the injury.

"He was in pain, but I don't want to say that I am worried. I just want to wait and see what the medical results say. He went directly to the clinic for tests and we will have to wait to see what the doctors say," Argentina's manager Martino said via ESPN.

Messi scored 41 goals in 49 appearances for Barcelona this season, leading the club to the La Liga title for the second consecutive year.

It would be a devastating loss for Argentina if Messi is forced to miss next month's Copa America Centenario.

Argentina held on for a 1-0 victory.