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Lautaro Martinez trains with his teammates. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q47THBBDDW5PFDZUGV6GNGLZR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3afd2c206fab22efa8b28989d08b1c918528d9e78c8c08e56d47c348d577fbcd&width=400&height=225)
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi takes part in a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, on October 10, 2023, ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier football matches against Paraguay and Peru. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
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Lionel Messi has only recently returned to action with MLS side Inter Miami and is a fitness doubt for Argentina. AFP
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi shares a joke with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. AFP
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Lionel Messi controls the ball during a training session. AFP
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi. AFP
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Lautaro Martinez of Argentina prepares to take part in training. Getty
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Facundo Medina of Argentina. Getty
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Cristian Romero of Argentina controls the ball. Getty
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Julian Alvarez on the sidelines during a training session. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/46YYNTC3T4MWIYYABSTWM3OYZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff0ccd48a0127e3fc6fbe4e0505691e299f886a82bd451f606a4b001016801b7&width=400&height=225)
Lautaro Martinez trains with his teammates. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q47THBBDDW5PFDZUGV6GNGLZR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3afd2c206fab22efa8b28989d08b1c918528d9e78c8c08e56d47c348d577fbcd&width=400&height=225)
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi takes part in a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, on October 10, 2023, ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier football matches against Paraguay and Peru. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BMVUIIMB5CZQFS2AZGM73CYLZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=8964b39d082c6e207f3415e6c0059a0d8b4d5cb1107ebf62af3a2a7b3b0fc116&width=400&height=225)
Lionel Messi has only recently returned to action with MLS side Inter Miami and is a fitness doubt for Argentina. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BJM73X4LICMCAGGDP2EG72WEXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=abca1d935407e68306d4cb370103ef843ab4e19f5968f0a8fb3f9fc1c1fee52b&width=400&height=225)
Argentina forward Lionel Messi shares a joke with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D652C74XCJZ2AIJI2YKJDTZGDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c936af37c78d1c47310f73538f5900ab88b881a09865885b0f13e1e2d226b842&width=400&height=225)
Lionel Messi controls the ball during a training session. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2XIMUSKEFHSVDOPPHC4KO4AR6M.jpg?smart=true&auth=7266b116b8c7c5672e47cd1e156090c77dda1fc032981e5f803216adad62ce65&width=400&height=225)
Argentina forward Lionel Messi. AFP
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Lautaro Martinez of Argentina prepares to take part in training. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F3BVNJQAQF6QB7IUHE5THMUZFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba45c98533a9dc18f8ccd3ef2c0070d07852d8f30a46ae600de95312555cd0f7&width=400&height=225)
Facundo Medina of Argentina. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O4Z4C3R5SG554FPZRE776KWIWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f37130d4d0838aedc5c29f7a1b1e9af2fbd3774fddd83e500304743595dbbeef&width=400&height=225)
Cristian Romero of Argentina controls the ball. Getty
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Julian Alvarez on the sidelines during a training session. Reuters
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Lautaro Martinez trains with his teammates. EPA
Lionel Messi doubtful for Argentina World Cup qualifier as Vinicius Jr returns for Brazil
Messi, 36, teamed up with the World Cup winners after returning from injury as a second-half substitute for Inter Miami on Saturday
![Steve Luckings](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fc3f09fc7-120b-42cf-8d44-356b28942fc4.png?smart=true&auth=a93b70171c6cc57bca013126f7257d62461086283c1cf22d9d4adcdbc940d865&width=70&height=70)
Steve Luckings
12 October, 2023
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