The Argentine FA are tightlipped over an injury to Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

They released a brief statement which was hardly even two lines long to explain that Messi would not take part in the game against Venezuela.

It read: "This morning, Lionel Messi underwent medical and kinesiological treatment for a groin and thigh pain. It is recommended that he continue to rest from activity and he will not play against Venezuela in the eighth game of World Cup qualifying for Russia 2018."

That was the brief comment for the reasons Messi will be returning to Barcelona and abandoning the Albiceleste camp.