Lionel Messi returns to Barcelona with 'pubic pain' after Argentina defeat

1/24

Ben Hayward23 March 2019

Lionel Messi is to play no part in Argentina's friendly against Morocco next week and will head back to Barcelona after ending last night's 3-1 loss to Venezuela in discomfort.

The 31-year-old missed a part of Wednesday's training session with muscle fatigue, but was included in the starting XI by coach Lionel Scaloni for Friday's friendly on his return to the international fold.

The Barca forward played the 90 minutes in his side's disappointing defeat, starting the move for Argentina's only goal – scored by Lautaro Martinez – at the Wanda Metropolitan.

However, Messi finished the game with "pubic pain", the Argentina Football Association (AFA) said in a short statement.

"Lionel Messi: re-exacerbation of bilateral pubic pain," they said in a medical report revealing that both the Barcelona captain and Atlanta United's Gonzalo 'Pity' Martinez, with a hamstring problem, will miss the game against Morocco in Tangier on Tuesday.

Messi was not going to travel to north Africa for that match in any case after Barcelona reached an agreement with Argentina for their forward to play in only the first of the two friendlies.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner will now return to the Catalan capital and can rest up until Barca's La Liga clash at home to Espanyol next Saturday.