Messi, Garnacho back for Argentina World Cup qualifiers

Captain Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, the Argentine football association said on Thursday.

Argentina's Lionel Messi tries to maneuver around Australia's Kye Rowles during a friendly match at Workers' Stadium on Thursday in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 37-year-old missed the team's March qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to an adductor injury but has since returned to action for his club Inter Miami.

Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni also recalled Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho and Strasbourg left-back Valentin Barco, who were both overlooked for the previous matches.

But there was no place in the preliminary 28-man squad for Roma forward Paulo Dybala or River Plate defenders Marcos Acuna and German Pezzella.

Argentina will meet Chile in Santiago on June 5 and Colombia in Buenos Aires five days later.

The reigning World Cup and Copa America champion currently leads the 10-team South American World Cup qualifying group with 31 points from 14 games.

The top six teams will earn an automatic spot at football's showpiece tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada next year. The seventh-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff.