Argentina rest Messi for World Cup qualifiers
-
Sri Lanka to repatriate remains of 84 Iranians killed in US attack
-
Afghanistan says six civilians killed in Pakistan strikes
-
Russell leads Mercedes one-two in China GP sprint qualifying
-
Wales boss Bellamy 'feels a responsibility' with World Cup on line
-
Zelensky arrives in Paris for talks on pressuring Russia
-
Afghan govt says Pakistan strikes Kabul and border provinces
-
Fresh wave of Israeli strikes on Iran, Gulf nations also hit
-
Oil holds above $100, stocks fall as Khamenei targets Hormuz
-
China coach tells players to stay 'calm' in Taiwan clash
-
China says vice premier to leave Saturday for US economic talks in France
-
South Africa's livestock farmers reel from foot-and-mouth disaster
-
South Sudan models dominate global catwalks but visas a problem
-
Strikes target Gulf as French soldier killed in Iraq
-
In sea-change, UK may abandon homes to coastal erosion
-
AI agent 'lobster fever' grips China despite risks
-
France to elect mayors in run-up to key presidential vote
-
Moscow piles pressure on US over oil sanctions
-
Alcaraz gains Norrie revenge to set up Medvedev semi at Indian Wells
-
Gilgeous-Alexander 'completely different man' since record streak began
-
Russell fastest in only practice session for Chinese Grand Prix
-
Gilgeous-Alexander breaks Chamberlain's NBA record 20-point streak
-
'We're not wombs': Japan women seek rights to sterilisation
-
Thousands of Chinese boats mass at sea, raising questions
-
Singapore turns tide in evolving fight against scams
-
Takaichi to be 'candid' with Trump as war hurts Japan
-
Saudi forces down drones, French soldier killed in Iraq
-
Gilgeous-Alexander sets NBA record with 127th consecutive 20-point game
-
France fired up by chance to retain Six Nations
-
Cool 'cat' Irish wing Baloucoune making up for lost time
-
Election draws spotlight as Barca host Sevilla
-
Wales seek end to Six Nations woe against resurgent Italy
-
Oil holds above $100 and stocks fall as Khamenei targets Hormuz
-
Lens eye top spot in Ligue 1 as they take title fight to PSG
-
Leverkusen wrestle with inconsistency as brilliant Bayern await
-
Svitolina topples Swiatek at Indian Wells as Sabalenka, Rybakina advance
-
French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi Kurdistan
-
Canadian, German and Norway leaders hold Arctic security talks
-
Spurs search for salvation, Arsenal ready for title charge
-
'Ticket to Tehran': Iranian Jews in Israel still long for Iran
-
With new ships, Canada aims to be 'icebreaking superpower'
-
Brazil's Recife basks in success of 'The Secret Agent' before Oscars
-
Casting directors finally get their due at Oscars
-
Fantastic Mr Stowaway: fox sails from Britain to New York port
-
Five share lead at US PGA Players Championship
-
Saudi forces down drones after Iran vows to target oil resources
-
Trump says Iran shouldn't come to World Cup for 'own life and safety'
-
US jury to begin deliberations in social media addiction trial
-
Venezuela leader's first foreign trip abruptly canceled
-
Forest stunned by Midtjylland, Villa beat Lille in Europa League
-
Sinner rolls into Indian Wells semi-final clash with Zverev
Argentina rest Messi for World Cup qualifiers
Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi, who recently recovered from a Covid-19 infection, was on Wednesday left out of Argentina's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, with the twice former winners already qualified for Qatar 2022.
Argentina will play Chile in Santiago on January 27 and Colombia at home on February 1 with both opponents still in contention to qualify for the tournament.
Messi contracted the virus whilst on holiday in his hometown of Rosario in Argentina in December.
On January 5, PSG announced that Messi, who joined them from Barcelona last year, was back in France after testing negative.
This week, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and Argentina captain was back in full training for the French club.
He missed the French Cup match against Vannes and two league games, the 1-1 draw with Lyon and last Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Brest.
In all, Messi has missed 10 league matches since his arrival at PSG in August, and will make his first appearance of 2022 on Sunday against Reims.
Messi is the only one of his fellow Argentine PSG team mates not to be called up for the qualifiers, with winger Angel Di Maria and midfielder Leandro Paredes among the squad announced by coach Lionel Scaloni.
There were few changes to the 27-strong squad, with Christian Romero of Tottenham out injured, and only two Argentine club players, both from River Plate: veteran goalkeeper Franco Armani and forward Julian Alvarez, who was voted the South American Footballer of the year in 2021.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani (River Plate), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/ENG), Juan Musso (Atalanta/ITA), Esteban Andrada (Monterrey/MEX)
Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Udinese/ITA), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla/ESP), German Pezzella (Real Betis/ESP), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica/POR), Lisandro Martinez (Ajax/NED), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina/ITA), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax/NED), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla/ESP)
Midfielders: Lucas Ocampo (Sevilla/ESP), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Leandro Paredes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis/SPA), Giovanni Lo Celso (Tottenham/ENG), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton/ENG), Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa/ENG), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla/ESP)
Forwards: Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina/ITA), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Julian Alvarez (River Plate), Joaquin Correa (Inter Milan/ITA)
O.Mousa--SF-PST
