Lionel Messi missed Argentina win because of "swelling in his foot"

Gerardo Martino explained that Lionel Messi didn't play in Argentina's win over El Salvador because of a slight foot injury. 

The Barcelona star picked up a knock in the win over Real Madrid and Martino said that it wasn't worth risking him in the friendly. 

"Messi didn't play because his foot was swollen," the former Barça coach stated. 

"He tried [to prove his fitness] in training, but was not able to do so. So it was decided that he wouldn't play."

Worries surfaced earlier in the week when Messi had to go for a scan on the injury, but the results didn't show any damage. 

However, Martino revealed that the 27-year-old didn't react well when he returned to training. 

"The doctors' images didn't show anything, but when he began training, his foot swelled up.

"We're not going to risk Messi. If this [swelling] continues, he won't play [against Ecuador] on Tuesday."