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Cesar Luis Menotti 'Afraid' over Lionel Messi Fitness Ahead of Argentina Return

Former Argentina manager and national-team director Cesar Luis Menotti has said he is worried over the condition of Lionel Messi ahead of his return to international football.

Messi is set to represent Argentina for the first time since the 2018 FIFA World Cup in a friendly against Venezuela on Friday. Heading into the game, he's been in red-hot form for Barcelona, netting a hat-trick on Sunday in the 4-1 win over Real Betis.

Despite his recent displays, Menotti told FM 94.7 (h/t Dejan Kalinic of Goal) he's concerned about the condition of the 31-year-old ahead of the meeting with Venezuela, then Morocco four days later.