Leo Messi is back in training with Argentina at the Ezeiza base in the Buenos Aires suburbs. The Barça player arrived at 0400 local time and after a post flight rest met up with coach Jorge Sampaoli as Argentina prepare for their penultimate Russia 2018 qualifying match.
Lionel Messi David Fernandez (EFE)
Messi and Gago
Ahead of the tie at the iconic La Bombonera stadium, Sampaoli is working on a strategy that will see Messi line up with Gago in a Argentina midfield in what really is a must-win game for their interests in securing an automatic place at the Russian World Cup next summer.
Messi was in a relaxed mood and joked with the various journalists at the training camp covering the activity oi the Argentinian national side in what will be the last home fixture of the COMNEBOL group stage.