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Argentina to play World Cup 1st qualifier without Messi

Xinhua, October 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Argentine star Lionel Messi is currently facing tax evasion charges in Spain, so he will not play with Argentina's national team in the first match of the South American Qualifying Tournament towards Russia 2018.

Argentina will face Ecuador on Thursday in Monumental Stadium, in Buenos Aires.

The Argentine squad's directive board said Messi will not play in the four games of the South American tournament to be held this year due to a ligament injury.

The absence of Messi represents an additional challenge for Argentina, who needs to overcome the lack of its main star and achieve a victory to silence the criticism after the recent defeat against Chile in Copa America.

The South American Qualifying Tournament towards Russia 2018 will grant four direct tickets for World Cup, and one for playoffs against the winner of Oceania region.

The tournament will be a challenge for Argentina's coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino. His image might be spoiled if he does not achieve enough points.

After meeting Ecuador, Argentina, world runner-up, will visit Paraguay in Asuncion next Tuesday and in November it will play two challenging games, one against Brazil on Friday 13 as local team, and Colombia in Barranquilla on Tuesday 17. Endi