Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero have both been left stranded from the Argentina squad ahead of two friendlies due to visa issues caused by the mourning of Queen Elizabeth II.
The 24-year-old Manchester United defender was due to travel to Miami in the early hours of Saturday morning for a match against Honduras before taking on Jamaica four days later. They face the penultimate two games before the World Cup kicks off in November, with Argentina facing Saudi Arabia in their first group match.
However, Martinez and Tottenham counterpart Romero have both been left in limbo with the defenders unable to travel to the United States as the US embassy in England has been closed, according to TyC Sports.
This meant the duo were unable to obtain visas in time to travel with their Argentina team-mates for their clash with Honduras. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has linked up with his team-mates alongside Angelo Di Maria, Leandro Paredes and Nicolas Tagliafico as Argentina prepare for both games at Inter’s Miami training ground.
Messi has been in strong form for Paris Saint-Germain this season after a difficult first campaign following his move from Barcelona. The striker already has six goals and eight assists to his name and looks to be in fine form heading into what will surely be his final World Cup.
It has also been a great start to the campaign for Martinez, who has impressed in recent weeks since his £55m move from Ajax to Manchester United. He has been part of a back two that have won their last four Premier League games, with Martinez and Raphael Varane playing important roles in their recent turnaround in form.
But Martinez has revealed he is surprised by how well United fans have received him so early in his Red Devils career. He said: “I’m a bit surprised but at the same time I feel very proud. To come here to the best club in the world and people are saying ‘Argentina, Argentina’, it’s amazing.”
Romero, on the other hand, helped Tottenham to third place in the Premier League with Antonio Conte’s side one of only two teams still unbeaten this season. Manchester City are the only other side, both clubs have won five and drawn two so far. Although Spurs have only kept two clean sheets so far this season, they have