2018 World Cup qualifier: Lionel Messi ruled out of Venezuela match with groin injury

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.

"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.