Tuesday 30 August 2016 10:09, UK
Lionel Messi is a major doubt for Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela because of a sore hamstring.
The Barcelona superstar played in Sunday's 1-0 La Liga win at Athletic Bilbao but underwent tests on Monday after admitting that the injury was causing him pain.
"Tests conducted have confirmed that Lionel Messi has a sore left adductor muscle. Both the medical services of FC Barcelona and the AFA (Argentina Football Association) have agreed on this report," Barcelona said in a statement.
"The player will travel to Argentina to join the national team and the evolution of the discomfort will decide his availability to play in the games scheduled."
Argentina are third in the 10-team South American qualifying group on 11 points from six matches, two points behind leading pair Uruguay and Ecuador.
Edgardo Bauza will take charge of Argentina for the first time when they host Uruguay in Mendoza on Thursday before the team travel to Venezuela for another qualifier in Merida five days later.
