Lionel Messi to cut down Argentina appearances in countdown to World Cup 2018

LIONEL MESSI’S international outings will be restricted in the build-up to the World Cup.

Argentina want the mercurial Barcelona winger to be in peak condition for the tournament in Russia next summer.

Messi appeared for Jorge Sampaoli’s team in their 1-0 win over Russia on Saturday.

But he will not feature in their fixture with Nigeria in Krasnodar on Tuesday.

Explained Messi, 30: “We talked to him [Sampaoli].

“We play many games in the season — the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, La Liga, plus everything about the national team and the trips.

“I want to get to the World Cup in the best way.”

Argentina were runners-up to Germany in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

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In their determination to go one better this time they are spending time in Russia to acclimatise.

Sergio Aguero’s late goal defeated Russia and they are off to Krasnodar to take on Nigeria.

Manchester City’s record scorer Aguero moved ahead of Diego Maradona in the all-time list of Argentina goalscorers, taking his tally to 35, the same amount as Hernan Crespo.

Only Messi (61) and Gabriel Batistuta (54) have more to their names.

Added Messi, who actually called time on his international career a year ago only to change his mind: “It’s nice and important for Kun to score goals.

“I’m happy for him. He’s been making a lot of goals for City and now he’s doing it in the national team.

“I love it.”