IN SPORT.ES
It's official. Lionel Messi returns to Argentine international duty. The FC Barcelona forward was called up by coach Lionel Scaloni, who published his list for the friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco on March 22 at the Wanda Metropolitano and March 26 at the Ittahid Tanger.
Messi took a break after the Russia World Cup but as SPORT revealed in January, he would return for these friendlies.
The No 10 has not been with the national team for eight months, issing the games against Guatemala (3-0), Colombia (0-0), Iraq (4-0), Brazil (0-1) and Mexico (2-0 and 2-0).
Messi returns to start preparation for the Copa America which takes place in Brazil between June 14-July 7.
What is not official is that Messi will only play in one of two friendlies, reserving energy for Barca's crucial run in as they bid for the treble.