Lionel Messi: Argentina forward set to miss World Cup qualifier against Venezuela with groin injury

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Venezuela after suffering a groin injury, coach Edgardo Bauza revealed on Friday.

Messi, who scored the winner against Uruguay on his return to international football following a short-lived retirement earlier in the summer, will not be risked for the trip after aggravating a minor problem.

"Leo is in pain, unfortunately he will not be able to play the next game," Bauza told reporters at the team's training base in Buenos Aires.

"He has an inflammation and we cannot take risks. We were talking with him, with the doctor, and it is advisable to rest."

The injury to Messi leaves Argentina short on options up front, with Sergio Aguero already out of the squad with a calf injury and Paulo Dybala suspended after being sent off in the 1-0 win in Bauza's first game in charge on Thursday night.

PA.