Lionel Messi’s future with the Argentina national team remains uncertain after interim coach Lionel Scaloni admitted he does not know if Messi will return to play for the Albiceleste.

Messi, who captained Argentina at the World Cup this summer in Russia where they were eliminated by France in the round of 16, has taken an indefinite break from national team duties.

The five-time Ballon D’or winner was not included in Scaloni’s first squad for international friendlies against Guatemala in Los Angeles on September 7 and Colombia in New Jersey four days later.

In total just nine of the 23 who went to the world cup have been called up to the squad for the upcoming friendlies with Sergio Aguero, Nicolas Otamendi, Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain, all dropped.