• Lionel Messi, right, during training session at Argentina's base camp in Bronnitsy ahead of the World Cup Group D match against Croatia. Juan Mabromata / AFP
    Lionel Messi, right, during training session at Argentina's base camp in Bronnitsy ahead of the World Cup Group D match against Croatia. Juan Mabromata / AFP
  • Lionel Messi, left, and his teammates during training session at Argentina's base camp in Bronnitsy ahead of the World Cup Group D match against Croatia Juan Mabromata / AFP
    Lionel Messi, left, and his teammates during training session at Argentina's base camp in Bronnitsy ahead of the World Cup Group D match against Croatia Juan Mabromata / AFP
  • Lionel Messi during training session at Argentina's base camp in Bronnitsy ahead of the World Cup Group D match against Croatia. Alberto Estevez / EPA
    Lionel Messi during training session at Argentina's base camp in Bronnitsy ahead of the World Cup Group D match against Croatia. Alberto Estevez / EPA
  • Argentina defender Javier Mascherano attends a training session in Bronnitsy, Russia. Alberto Estevez / EPA
    Argentina defender Javier Mascherano attends a training session in Bronnitsy, Russia. Alberto Estevez / EPA
  • Argentina's players attend a training session in Bronnitsy. Alberto Estevez / EPA
    Argentina's players attend a training session in Bronnitsy. Alberto Estevez / EPA
  • Argentina's forward Gonzalo Higuain, left, jokes with teammates during a training session. Juan Mabromata / AFP
    Argentina's forward Gonzalo Higuain, left, jokes with teammates during a training session. Juan Mabromata / AFP
  • Lionel Messi, centre, during training session at Argentina's base camp in Bronnitsy ahead of the World Cup Group D match against Croatia. Juan Mabromata / AFP
    Lionel Messi, centre, during training session at Argentina's base camp in Bronnitsy ahead of the World Cup Group D match against Croatia. Juan Mabromata / AFP
  • Argentina's forward Lionel Messi, left, walks past Cristian Pavon during training session. Juan Mabromata / AFP
    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi, left, walks past Cristian Pavon during training session. Juan Mabromata / AFP
  • Angel Di Maria looks on during training session at the team's base camp in Bronnitsy. Juan Mabromata / AFP
    Angel Di Maria looks on during training session at the team's base camp in Bronnitsy. Juan Mabromata / AFP
  • Argentina defender Marcos Acuna takes part in a training session. Juan Mabromata / AFP
    Argentina defender Marcos Acuna takes part in a training session. Juan Mabromata / AFP
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, with teammates during training. Albert Gea / Reuters
    Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, with teammates during training. Albert Gea / Reuters
  • Argentina defender Nicolas Taglafico during training session at the team's base camp in Bronnitsy. Juan Mabromata / AFP
    Argentina defender Nicolas Taglafico during training session at the team's base camp in Bronnitsy. Juan Mabromata / AFP
  • Argentina's players, from left, Ever Banega, Lionel Messi, Marcos Acuna, Javier Mascherano, and Angel di Maria attend a training session. Alberto Estevez / EPA
    Argentina's players, from left, Ever Banega, Lionel Messi, Marcos Acuna, Javier Mascherano, and Angel di Maria attend a training session. Alberto Estevez / EPA
  • Argentina's manager Jorge Sampaoli attends a training session in Bronnitsy. Alberto Estevez / EPA
    Argentina's manager Jorge Sampaoli attends a training session in Bronnitsy. Alberto Estevez / EPA

Football

Lionel Messi and Argentina take part in training ahead of Croatia clash - in pictures

Barcelona superstar joined his international teammates on the eve of their second Group D match

The National

June 20, 2018

  • English
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Lionel Messi will be aiming to bounce back from his costly missed penalty against Iceland when Argentina take on Croatia in their second World Cup Group D match on Thursday.

Argentina drew 1-1 with Iceland in their opening match, although Messi had the chance to win it for his side, only for his tame penalty to be easily saved by goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson.

Ahead of the assignment against Croatia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium (kick-off 10pm UAE time), Messi and his Argentina teammates took part in a training session.

Take a sneak peak inside the training session by clicking through the photo gallery above. Click on the arrows to move on to the next picture, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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World Cup 2018: Day 7 updates - All the news from Russia in one place

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