Lionel Messi has suffered an injury scare just weeks away from the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
With just weeks to go until the start of the tournament, we're sure that international managers will want their stars wrapped in cotton wool.
Messi, 35, will miss this weekend's Ligue 1 clash with Lorient as he looks to win the race to be fit in time to star for Argentina.
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He sits out this weekend's game for Paris Saint-Germain with an inflamed Achilles tendon, in an injury that's been described as a 'minor' injury.
The whole footballing world wants to see Messi at the WC, as he attempts to win the only trophy that has ever eluded him.
Regarding his recovery, PSG expect him to return to full training next week ahead of the Parisians game with Auxerre - their final match before the World Cup.
Messi did feature in the 2-1 win over Juventus earlier this week, so his absence is more likely to be seen as a precaution.
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His injury record has been extremely reliable over his career, with his only injury this season being a calf problem that saw him miss three games in eight days.
Argentina will enter the tournament as one of the most in-form international sides, having not lost since losing to Brazil back in July 2019.
During that time they triumphed at the Copa America in 2021, beating Brazil 1-0 in the final, as Messi finally secured his first international trophy.
Footage has emerged prior to the Copa America triumph of Messi giving an inspirational speech to the squad before they eventually went on to lift the trophy.
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Lionel Scaloni's side boasts a strong line-up, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Christian Romero, Enzo Fernandez, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, to name a few.
Although there is a cause for concern over the fitness of Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria, who are in a race to be fit.
Having been drawn into a favourable group including Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia, La Albiceleste should enjoy a good start to the tournament.
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Messi has six goals and five assists spanning across four World Cup's and also led his team to the final in Brazil in 2014, but fell heartbreakingly short against Germany.
He did take home the FIFA Golden Ball, but the award did little to soften the blow of losing a WC final.
Having scored in three of the four tournaments he's participated in, his only goalless campaign was in the 2010 WC in South Africa.
Given he recovers from the minor injury, he'll arrive at the WC as one of the most in-form players in the world.
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This season has seen the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner bounce back from a disappointing first season in Paris with an extraordinary 12 goals and 14 assists in just 18 games in all competitions.
He's certainly back to his best and, clearly, it's all coming together just in time for what will be his final WC.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain, Football World Cup
George Priestman