Messi fitness concerns grow as he misses Argentina training

The AFA claimed earlier this week that the forward had shaken off a knock to his foot but he was not involved with the team on Thursday

Fears that Lionel Messi could be carrying a more serious injury than first thought have arisen after he missed Argentina's training session on Thursday.

There was concern that the Barcelona forward picked up a foot injury in the Clasico, but a medical check-up with the national team claimed he was fit to feature in games against El Salvador and Ecuador.

However, the Argentina football association (AFA) has raised questions over his fitness by confirming he did not train with the team ahead of Saturday's friendly in USA.

“Lionel Messi was not part of group training today,” the AFA wrote on its Twitter account. “He stayed at the hotel and worked separately in a gym.”

Barca fans will be praying that the injury is just a passing scare as they head into the final two months of the 2014-15 campaign.

Messi has been phenomenal in 2015 as Barca have reached the Champions League quarter-finals, topped La Liga by four points over Real Madrid and made it to the Copa del Rey final.

Argentine will be hoping to have their talisman fit as they continue their preparations for this summer's Copa America in Chile.