Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza has revealed that Lionel Messi will miss his national team's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela on Wednesday after suffering a groin problem against Uruguay.
Messi, who initially retired from international duty after the Copa America earlier this summer, scored the only goal of the match as Argentina recorded a 1-0 win over Uruguay on Friday to advance to the top of their qualification section.
However, the Barcelona forward will be absent for Argentina's next World Cup qualifier after suffering "an inflammation".
"Leo is in pain, unfortunately he will not be able to play the next game. He has an inflammation and we cannot take risks. We were talking with him, with the doctor, and it is advisable to rest. Tomorrow, he will be with the group, but will not participate in the next match," Bauza told reporters.
Argentina have won four of their seven World Cup qualifiers to sit top of their section on 14 points, but three teams - Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador - sit just one point off the summit.
Matt Law
