Lionel Messi out with injury
After making a stunning return to international duty, Lionel Messi has been rested for the World Cup qualifier against Venezuela after suffering a groin injury during the win against Uruguay. Messi scored the only goal of the game from a long range marking his return to the national team in style.
Lionel Messi will fly back to Barcelona after a groin injury ruled him out of the upcoming clash against Venezuela. Messi was reportedly suffering from muscle pain just before the South American World Cup qualifier match against Uruguay, but carried on playing and scored the only goal of the match handing Argentina a 1-0 victory.
Later on Friday, Argentina Coach Edgardo Bauza confirmed that Messi will be rested for the upcoming qualifier."He won't be able to play, he has inflammation and still feels pain, we can't take risks," Bauza told the press.
Messi announced his retirement from the national team in June following a disappointing loss to Chile in the final of Copa America Centenario, but returned to international duty after new boss Edgardo Bauza named Messi in his line up for the World Cup Qualifiers.
Speaking about his decision to come out of retirement, Messi told reporters, “I didn’t deceive anyone in that moment,” he said. “I was very disappointed because it was a hard blow and I said that because that’s what I felt.
“But afterwards, seeing what this group (of players) is like, and with the affection of the fans, I reconsidered,” reported Reuters.
Argentina will play Venezuela in their final World Cup Qualifier of this year on September 6, Tuesday.