AFP, United States :
Argentina captain Lionel Messi was left out of the starting line-up for his team’s Copa America Centenario opener against Chile here Monday.
The Argentine captain, who injured his back in a recent friendly against Honduras, is replaced by Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan in attack.
It is the first time Messi has not been named in Argentina’s starting line-up during a major tournament since he was left on the bench for a game against Venezuela during the 2007 Copa America.