Lionel Messi ruled out of Argentina action due to injury

Messi has been ruled out of Argentina's friendly against Morocco on Tuesday after suffering a groin injury in the 3-1 loss to Venezuela.

Friday was not the first time Messi has suffered from a groin problem, with the Argentine having missed time in 2016 and 2017 due to a similar injury. 

News of Messi's injury will be particularly worrying for Barcelona, with the 31-year-old in the middle of yet another brilliant campaign. 

The Barcelona forward played the full 90 minutes on Friday night, but the Argentine federation confirmed after the game he will leave the squad as they prepare for their clash with the African side next week.

Messi has netted 39 goals in 36 games in all competitions for the Blaugrana, who are still alive in their chase for a treble this season. 

Ernesto Valverde's side have a commanding lead atop La Liga, sitting 10 points ahead of Atletico Madrid and 12 points in front of third-place Real Madrid. 

Barca took down Real in the Copa del Rey semi-final and have advanced to the final of the cup competition, where they will face Valencia on May 25. 

And Barcelona have also advanced to the Champions League quarter-final, where a mouthwatering matchup with Manchester United awaits. 

With Messi potentially out, the scoring onus will fall even more on forward Luis Suarez, who has netted 21 goals in 38 games in all competitions this season.

The Blaugrana do have a week before their next match, a Liga encounter with Espanyol at Camp Nou

There will be another two games between that match and the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, which takes place on April 10 at Old Trafford.