Buenos Aires: Argentina striker Lionel Messi will miss Tuesday`s 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Venezuela with a groin problem, national team coach Edgardo Bauza said on Friday.


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"Unfortunately, he won`t be able to play. We can`t take any risks. We spoke with the doctor and it`s the sensible thing to do. It must be treated, we must take care of him," Bauza told reporters at the team`s training base in Buenos Aires.


Messi made a triumphant return after his short-lived international retirement by scoring the winning goal in Thursday`s 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Mendoza.


The result moved Argentina to the top of the 10-team South American qualifying group after seven of 18 matches. The top four teams will automatically qualify for the 2018 finals in Russia.