The decision means the 29-year-old will play in only one of Argentina’s remaining five World Cup qualifiers, a severe blow to the two-times world champions who are struggling on the road to Russia 2018.

Argentina are currently sitting third in the 10-team South American group with 22 points from 13 games but have only a two-point cushion over sixth-placed Chile.

The top four qualify directly for next year’s football extravaganza with the fifth side having to lock horns with a team from a different confederation for another place.

Messi will be eligible again when Argentina visit Ecuador on October 10. (Euronews)