2018 WORLD CUP
Agüero out of Argentina squad but Messi returns
Javier Pastore, who has suffered a torn calf injury, will also miss both of Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela.
Sergio Agüero and Javier Pastore have pulled out of Argentina's tie with Uruguay through injury but superstar Leo Messi has confirmed he will feature for the double World Cup winners, the Argentinian federation (AFA) announced on Monday.
Agüero pulled a calf muscle in Manchester City's 3-1 victory against West Ham at the weekend AFA medical staff confirmed.
Paris Saint-Germain's attacking midfielder Javier Pastore will Argentina's next two fixtures after tearing his right calf muscle. However, the AFA have confirmed that former Argentina captain Messi will feature for the South Americans despite rumours that he would have been unavailable after suffering a knock against Athletic Club at the weekend in La Liga.
Messi had announced his international retirement after Argentina had lost in the Copa América final against Chile on penalties, Messi crucially missing his penalty in the shoot out. The Barcelona star reversed his decision three weeks ago after new Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza payed him a visit in Spain to change his mind.
Argentina host Uruguay in Mendoza on Thursday before travelling to face Venezuela in Mérida in their second World Cup qualifier on September 6th.