Argentina set to call up Leo Messi for World Cup qualifiers

After not travelling to represent Argentina in the first international break of 2022, former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi will be part of the Albiceleste squad for the next set of national team fixtures in March, according to TyC Sports journalist Gaston Edul.

Argentina played Chile and Columbia in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers during the international break and came out on top in both encounters.

However, they did so without their influential skipper Messi, who was not called up for the matches by manager Lionel Scaloni. Explaining the decision, the head coach had cited the Paris Saint-Germain superstar’s ongoing recovery from Covid-19 as a reason for resting the seven-time Ballon d’Or.

Now, though, Messi is back to full fitness and unless anything changes between now and the next international break, he will be recalled to the national team setup.

Argentina have already qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. La Albiceleste are currently second in the CONMEBOL Qualifiers standings with 35 points after 15 matches. They trail leaders and arch-rivals Brazil by four points.

Later in March, the 2014 World Cup finalists will face off against Venezuela and Ecuador, and as things stand, will do so with Messi in the squad.

The 34-year-old was in good touch on Sunday as PSG defeated reigning Ligue 1 champions LOSC Lille 5-1. Messi scored and assisted a goal on the night to help his team over the line and will be aiming to build on that performance after a slow start to life in France. Sunday’s strike was just his second strike in Ligue 1 and seventh overall for PSG.