MADRID, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona's superstar Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's friendly with Italy on Wednesday, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

"Leo Messi will not play the friendly in Rome this Wednesday between Argentina and Italy," said a statement on the club's website.

"After undergoing a check-up with the Argentine medical staff it has been decided that the star will return to Barcelona to continue his recovery from a quadriceps strain in his left leg."

The 25-year-old missed the final match of Barca's Asian tour against Malaysia on Saturday due to the injury.

Italian star Mario Balotelli will also miss the friendly due to a knee injury, which may also rule him out of AC Milan's Champions League qualifier against PSV Eindhoven on August 20.