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Paris Saint-Germain want FIFA to block Lionel Messi's Argentina call-up

PSG want FIFA to block Messi's Argentina call-up
© Reuters
Paris Saint-Germain director Leonardo wants FIFA to block Lionel Messi's Argentina call-up as the 34-year-old recovers from knee and hamstring pain.

Paris Saint-Germain director Leonardo has insisted that the club will seek an agreement from FIFA to block Lionel Messi from linking up with the Argentina squad.

The 34-year-old has missed his side's recent Champions League draw with RB Leipzig and Ligue 1 win over Bordeaux as he nurses hamstring and knee pain.

Messi was nevertheless called up for Argentina's World Cup 2022 qualifiers with Uruguay and Brazil, but Leonardo has affirmed that PSG will do everything in their power to prevent the attacker from linking up with his national team.

Speaking to Le Parisien, Leonardo said: "We do not agree with letting a player leave for international duty who, for us, is not in physical condition or is at the recovery stage. It's not logical, and these kinds of situations merit that we establish a rule with FIFA."

Leandro Paredes has also been called up to the Copa America champions' squad this month, in spite of the fact that the midfielder was initially ruled out until after the international break with a thigh injury.

Messi is without a goal or assist in five Ligue 1 games for PSG but has amassed three strikes from as many appearances in the Champions League.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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Lionel Messi in action for Argentina on September 10, 2021
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG16124044143040
2Marseille1593332181430
3MonacoMonaco1693426161030
4Lille1576225151027
5Lyon157442720725
6Nice156632819924
7Lens156631914524
8Auxerre156362323021
9Toulouse156361717021
10Reims155552018220
11Brest156182427-319
12Rennes155282020017
13StrasbourgStrasbourg154562527-217
14NantesNantes153571724-714
15Angers153481426-1213
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17Le HavreLe Havre1540111129-1812
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier1523101538-239


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