LIONEL MESSI could MISS Barcelona's El Clasico showdown in October over fears of 14-day quarantine following Argentina duty.

The Barcelona star, 33, could be forced to sit out the monster showdown with arch-rivals Real Madrid next month due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Argentina take on Ecuador at home on October 8, before facing Bolivia away on October 13 in their first two 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

El Clasico is currently set to take place just 12 days later on October 25 – two days within the 14-day quarantine timeframe.

Messi would likely miss the game with Getafe a week earlier, on October 18, too.

Fifa have confirmed players based in Europe will be allowed to take part in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in South America.

But current Covid-19 rules insist on a 14-day quarantine period for travellers returning from the continent.

Messi and his Barcelona team-mates will be itching to get one over Real Madrid in 2020-21.

Barca limply surrendered the LaLiga crown with a dismal showing post-lockdown last season.

Quique Setien was swiftly sacked, with Ronald Koeman taking charge and promising a major summer overhaul.

Messi was widely expected to quit the club after growing disillusioned with life at the Nou Camp.

But Koeman convinced him to stay and Messi starred in an all-new system in the recent 3-1 friendly win over Girona.

Messi started up front in a false nine role in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Antoine Griezmann playing just off him and Philippe Coutinho wide on the left.

Source: Read Full Article