Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi in doubt for Argentina's World Cup qualifiers after injury

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:43 p.m. ET

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Lionel Messi may have called off his short-lived retirement and is headed to join Argentina for World Cup qualifiers, but he may not actually be able to play.

The Barcelona star is nursing a sore hamstring that could prevent him from taking part in Argentina’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers starting this week. Argentina host Uruguay on Friday and then go to Venezuela on Sept. 7.

The 29-year-old was evaluated over some hamstring discomfort at Barcelona’s facilities after Sunday's 1-0 La Liga win against Athletic Bilbao before going to Argentina. Barcelona acknowledged the injury in a statement released Monday but did not provide any specific information about the severity of it.

“A report on tests performed on Monday, and as approved by the FC Barcelona Medical Services and the Argentinian Football Association, has confirmed that Leo Messi has hurt his left hamstring,” the statement said. “The player is traveling to Argentina to join the national team for World Cup qualifying matches at home to Uruguay and away to Venezuela, and his presence in those matches will depend on how the injury develops.”

There is no word from the Argentina federation, though on Monday the AFA announced Javier Pastore and Sergio Aguero were both injured and would not be available for either of the upcoming qualifying games.

Messi said he wanted to step away from the Argentina national team in June after losing the Copa America Centenario final to Chile, but he reversed that decision two weeks ago and agreed to rejoin the team under new coach Edgardo Bauza.

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