TIL Desk Sports/ Having fully recovered from a groin injury, Barcelona star Lionel Messi was named on Friday in Argentina’s squad to face Brazil and Colombia in the next round of World Cup qualifiers. Messi has been in fine form for Barcelona since coming back from his latest niggling injury, scoring four goals in two matches, including a superb hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
He has not played for his country since scoring the winner in a 1-0 win against Uruguay on Sept 1. In his absence, Argentina drew 2-2 away to Peru and lost 1-0 at home to Paraguay, putting it in fifth place and out of the top four positions that ensure a direct spot for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Messi’s return will be in Belo Horizonte against leaders Brazil, which has won its four first matches under new coach Tite. Five days later, Edgardo Bauza’s Argentina side hosts fourth-place Colombia.
