Lionel Messi

Argentina could be without Lionel Messi for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers as Barcelona revealed the forward suffered a hamstring injury.

    Messi will travel to Argentina to link up with his teammates but his involvement will depend on the severity of the injury and how he recovers. "Tests conducted today have confirmed that Lionel Messi has a sore left adductor muscle. Both the medical services of FC Barcelona and the AFA have agreed on this report," the Spanish club said in a statement. 

    The five-time world player of the year had quit international football in July after a penalty shootout loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final, his third straight major final loss with the national team, but came out of his brief retirement, making himself available for selection.

    Argentina host Uruguay on Thursday, followed by an away game against Venezuela on September 6 as the Albiceleste sit third in the CONMEBOL qualification group.

Source: QNA