Backheel Breakfast: Lionel Messi’s foot injury isn’t serious

Lionel Messi picked up a knock in Argentina training on Tuesday, which briefly sent Barcelona fans into a frenzy. Some trolls and rumor accounts on social media kicked up a storm by suggesting that he’d be out for an extended period of time, but he’s just fine. He underwent tests on his foot and there’s no serious injury, just a nasty knock. He’ll miss Argentina’s first friendly against El Salvador.

This is a reminder to wait until freaking out about injury rumors, as always.

Martin Skrtel has been banned three games for his stamp on David De Gea after his appeal was denied. (Telegraph)

MLS will announce Minnesota United FC as an expansion team at noon ET on Wednesday, and you can watch the announcement here. (MLS)

Sampdoria have agreed to sign Niklas Moisander from Ajax. (@Sampdoria)

”Rooney is good fun because he’s very open and insults us in Spanish.” -Ander Herrera. (ESPN UK)

Roma’s new stadium is going to cost more than €500m. (Football Italia)

FA chief Greg Dyke says England is considering a World Cup 2026 bid. America says ‘nah’. (BBC)

Raheem Sterling has been given permission to skip the Italy friendly. (Guardian)

Ian Walker on the decline of Xavi. (New Libero)

Andy Dawson on the weirdos who hate the idea of video technology in football. (The Set Pieces)

Mike Devlin on Bert Trautmann’s 1954 tour of Germany with Manchester City. (In Bed With Maradona)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

Toby Alderweireld admits he’d like to reunite with Jan Vertonghen at Tottenham. (Telegraph)

Arsenal would like to sign Chris Smalling from Manchester United. (Mirror)

Chelsea have sent scouts to watch Lazio star Felipe Anderson. (London Evening Standard)

Denmark vs. USA (3:15 p.m.) - No Clint Dempsey, and a very experimental defense for the USMNT.

Germany vs. Australia (3:30 p.m.) - Jogi Löw called in his best team, so this could get ugly.