BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi was named in Argentina’s squad for their heavyweight World Cup qualifying clash against bitter rivals Brazil on Friday having missed the last three fixtures through injury.
Messi had been sidelined from international duty with a thigh injury but buoyed by a midweek hat-trick for Barcelona in the Champions League against Manchester City, he returns to an Argentina team struggling in fifth spot in World Cup qualifying.
Only the top four sides are guaranteed a place in the finals in Russia in 2018 with the fifth-place finishers facing a play-off.
Without Messi, Argentina drew with Venezuela and Peru and lost 1-0 at home to Paraguay.
They face Brazil in Belo Horizonte on November 10 before hosting Colombia in San Juan five days later.