Groin injury delays Messi’s return to international fold
BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi’s return to international duty with Argentina could be delayed by a groin injury his club side Barcelona stated on Monday.
Messi was set to return for the two-time world champions’ World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela after reversing his shock decision to retire from international football in June.
“The player will travel to Argentina to join his national team and the development of the pain (he is suffering) will determine his availability for the scheduled matches,” Barca said in a statement.
Argentina have already suffered a double injury blow as Sergio Aguero and Javier Pastore pulled out of the squad on Monday.
Aguero has pulled a muscle in his left calf, according to the Argentine federation’s medical staff while Paris Saintgermain’s attacking midfielder Pastore also misses out due to a torn right calf muscle. LOEW EYES YOUNG BLOOD FOR CONFED CUP BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew is aiming to blood some younger players at next year’s Confederations Cup with an eye on defending the World Cup in 2018.
“I would like to use the Confederations Cup as a tournament based on the future,” said Loew, hinting that some of his senior players would be rested for the competition. “For the Confederations Cup, not all our players will be available. That’s why I see that tournament based on the future, one in which I’ll be able to bring in young players.” MCCOURT SET FOR MARSEILLE TAKEOVER MARSEILLE: American businessman Frank Mccourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, on Monday entered into exclusive discussions for the acquisition of Marseille football club.
Mccourt sealed the deal in a meeting with incumbent owner Margarita Louis-dreyfus, who will maintain a minority shareholding, and Marseille mayor Jean-claude Gauldin, saying afterwards that there was a process under way that would lead to the takeover being completed “before the end of the year”.
MODRIC TO LEAD CROATIA
ZAGREB: Luka Modric was named as the new captain of Croatia on Monday, while the captain’s armband will be rotated between Ivan Rakitic and Vedran Corluka in his absence.
“This is a beautiful feeling, I’m so proud. I would like to thank the head coach for having confidence in me, and I hope to justify my new role,” said Modric.