Messi returns for Argentina, Tevez misses out

28-year-old needs eight more goals to become highest goal-scorer for La Albiceleste

BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi is set to make his first appearance in Argentina's 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, after being named in the squad on Tuesday for upcoming games with Chile and Bolivia.

But Former Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez misses out after a difficult start to the season with his club Boca Juniors, although he is also struggling with a knee problem.

Manager Gerardo Martino had to do without five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi for the first four qualifying  matches because of injury, and Argentina struggled in his absence as they picked up only five points.



That tally leaves them outside of the qualification spots in the fledgling campaign, so Messi's return comes at the perfect time.

The 28-year-old is seven goals away from equalling Gabriel Batistuta's record of 56 international goals for the two-time world champions.

Messi will line up alongside the in-form trio of Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero, but Tevez misses out.

The 32-year-old played for Boca at the weekend, after which he complained of tiredness, while rumours abound that he could be on his way out of the club from the Argentine capital.

A 1-0 win at Colombia in November moved Argentina to within two points of the four automatic qualification places.

They take on Chile in Santiago on March 24, before hosting Bolivia on March 29.



Full Argentina squad

Goalkeepers

Sergio Romero (Manchester United/ENG), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres/MEX), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad/ESP)

Defenders

Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City/ENG), Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina/ITA), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate/ARG), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City/ENG), Mateo Musacchio (Villareal/ESP), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton/ENG), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United/ENG), Leonel Vangioni (River Plate/ARG), Javier Pinola (Rosario Central/ARG), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City/ENG)

Midfielders

Javier Mascherano (Barcelona/ESP), Matias Kranevitter (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid/ESP) Enzo Perez (Valencia/ESP), Lucas Biglia (Lazio/ITA), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA) Ever Banega (Sevilla/ESP), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA) Erik Lamela (Tottenham/ENG)

Forwards

Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei Fortune/CHN), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica/POR), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City/ENG), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli/ITA), Paulo Dybala (Juventus/ITA), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid/ESP)