Lionel Messi: Argentina star skips training ahead of World Cup 2022 Saudi Arabia opener

• Lionel Messi was conspicuously absent from Argentina's training at the Qatar University
• The team captain was absent with the other six players as Argentina continues with its preparations for their first game against Saudi Arabia
• Noticeably, the other players to skip training alongside Messi were certain starters, such as Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria

There were a few concerns after Lionel Messi skipped Argentina's training session late last night in Qatar ahead of the World Cup kickoff.

Argentina's first game will be against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and any news of an apparent injury to Messi would be devastating.

Messi is set to play in his fifth World Cup as he hopes to lead his side to glory and win the only trophy that has eluded him in an otherwise impressive career of over 15 years.

He was absent when Head Coach Lionel Scaloni put his team through their paces on Friday night. However, there is no cause for alarm after it was revealed that the Paris Saint-Germain star was working individually in the gym, as Al Jazeera reports.

Cristiano Ronaldo to miss Portugal's friendly against Nigeria as heartbreaking reason emerges

Football

Injuries hit the Argentina camp

Scaloni will be wary of losing another player after Nico Gonzalez and Joaquin Correa had to withdraw with injuries. Thiago Almada and Angel Correa have since been called up to take their spots.

The Albiceleste's other games include a clash against Mexico and a showdown with Robert Lewandowski's Poland in Group C matches.

Luis Enrique tips Messi to win the World Cup

Sports Brief had earlier reported that with the excitement and tension truly building ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the head coach of Spain, Luis Enrique, has thrown his weight behind Argentina to win the soon-to-start Mundial if La Roja fails to achieve the ultimate.

Argentina has not won the World Cup since 1986, but there is a strong chance Qatar 2022 could be their year.

Currently riding on the back of an impressive 36-game unbeaten run, Lionel Scaloni's charges have the second-highest probability of winning this year's World Cup.