Argentina captain Lionel Messi will sit out his nation's next couple of games after deciding to take a break from the Albiceleste.
The Barcelona star came under severe criticism from the Argentine public for the second time in a year after his side lost the Copa America final.
Messi netted only once in six games during the tournament, and was powerless to stop them losing in the final to host nation Chile just 12 months after they had fallen short in the World Cup final against the Germans.
He came under fire from his compatriots for his perceived under-performance throughout the competition, and will now sit out the friendly with Mexico in Dallas scheduled for September 8.
In pictures: Copa America final
Argentina were due to play Brazil during the same international break, but the game was cancelled due to its organisers, Full Play, being implicated in the FIFA corruption scandal.
While there are efforts being made to reschedule the friendly, billed the Superclasico de las Americas , Messi won't be present.
His decision to take a break will undoubtedly please Barcelona, who face title rivals Atletico Madrid in their first fixture after the international break.
Messi has been defended in Argentina by both the legendary Diego Maradona and his brother.
His brother Matias has leaped to his aid, saying "Leo's problem is that he's Argentinian.
"Argentina don't deserve him. This is for the losers."
Diego Maradona also had his say and, while admitting that he shouldn't be immune from criticism, also stressed the people of Argentina should stick with their main man.
"We have the best player in the world and he scores four goals against Real Sociedad but comes here and doesn't touch the ball," he said.
"Don't say any more that we have to pamper him. He should be treated just like any other player in the national team.
"[But] Messi hasn't killed or raped anyone - let's not make a big deal over this."
“Chile were better," he added. "They had a better attitude while some of the Argentinians strolled through things, and do not talk about Messi.
"He will continue to be a phenomenon as always. We have a team that attacks but we have no ‘Plan B’."
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