Messi has only recently returned to the pitch with Inter Miami after the ankle sprain he suffered in the final against Colombia. His lack of match fitness meant that the Argentina captain was left out of Lionel Scaloni’s squad for two September World Cup qualifiers against Chile in Buenos Aires and away to Colombia in Barranquilla.

Argentina have been boosted by the return of captain Lionel Messi for their CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia, the country's football association said on Wednesday, after the 37-year-old recovered from an ankle injury.

Lionel Messi has been called up by Argentina for the October international window for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.

Lionel Messi has recovered from an ankle injury and will be returning to captain Argentina in their CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia. Messi, who missed August's qualifiers against Chile and Colombia,