Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza has revealed Lionel Messi defied Barcelona orders to return home this week.

Barça doctors recommended that Messi should not travel to his home country given the groin and thigh soreness in his left leg.

The player, however, insisted in attending the Argentina camp, ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualification games against Uruguay and Venezuela.

"The club recommended against him travelling but he said 'No, no, I am travelling'," Bauza stated in an interview with Fox Argentina.