Argentina head coach Edgardo Bauza has launched a stinging attack on Barcelona after losing star striker Lionel Messi to groin injury for the next month's crucial World Cup qualifiers.
The 29-year-old forward has been sidelined for at least three weeks after sustaining the injury during Barcelona's 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in their fifth La Liga clash on Thursday.
Insisting that Barcelona had done nothing to protect Messi from injuries, Bauza pointed out that Argentina had already played so many games without him and his absence would give a lot of advantage to the opponents.
"They send us messages to look after Messi but they don't protect him. He plays every match. But for me as coach and for the team it's a challenge if we have to play without him," the Argentina coach was quoted as saying by Sport24.
The Barcelona talisman is also expected to miss out the upcoming Champions League tie against Borussia Monchengladbach as well as trips to Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo.
Argentina, which are placed third in the South American World Cup qualifying group, are scheduled to play Peru in Lima on October 6 before hosting Paraguay on October 11 in Cordoba.
Only the top four teams in the qualifying event would earn an automatic spot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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