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Argentina Hoping Lionel Messi Will Kick-Start World Cup Qualifying Campaign

The first four rounds of World Cup qualifying were not kind to Argentina. With just one win and five points, the Albiceleste started on the back foot in the race to reach Russia 2018.

No need to panic, though. Lionel Messi is back.

Messi, the iconic, free-scoring superstar striker for Barcelona, is set to return to Argentina's lineup after eight months away. His last appearance for his country came in July 2015, before a knee injury sidelined him for much of last fall. Now that he's back, Argentina will be hoping to kick-start their flagging qualification campaign.