Messi trains with Argentina but avoids ball

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany, June 15: Argentina's Lionel Messi trained with his country's World Cup squad today but avoided kicking the ball while recovering from a slight foot injury.

The gifted teenager, tipped for big things at the tournament, hurt his left foot in a practice game earlier in the week.

He warmed up with 21 other members of coach Jose Pekerman's squad before the rest of them did ball exercises.

Carlos Tevez, another of Argentina's talented bench when they beat Ivory Coast in their Group C opener in Hamburg on Saturday, was missing. Argentina's press officer Andres Ventura said later that he had an upset stomach.

Team doctor Donato Villani, who is expected to give an update later in the day on Messi's progress, said last night that the 18-year-old had hurt his left foot.

Ventura had no details of any treatment Messi might be receiving but sources close to the Argentine team said it had been confirmed there was no bone damage.

One of the most feared injuries in football is a broken bone in the foot, like the metatarsal injury suffered by England's Wayne Rooney in April which has delayed his World Cup debut.

Messi, who has fully recovered from a thigh injury he sustained three months ago, also has yet to take his World Cup bow.

REUTERS

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