Messi to make Argentina return

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was called up by Argentina on Thursday for friendly games against Brazil and Uruguay next month.

Messi has not played for Argentina since he was sent off against Chile in their victorious third-place play-off match in the Copa America on July 7.

The striker was then handed a three-month suspension for comments he made after the game, in which he accused CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, of corruption.

In Messi’s absence, Argentina has played four friendlies, drawing against Chile and Germany while beating Mexico and Ecuador.

They face Brazil in Saudi Arabia on November 15 and then Uruguay in Israel on November 18.

Messi has endured an injury-affected start to the season after hurting his foot in August and then his thigh in September.

But his recovery has coincided with a return to form for Barcelona, who have won their last seven consecutive games in all competitions.

Messi scored twice in a 5-1 win over Real Valladolid on Tuesday.