Lionel Messi Reportedly Worrying Barcelona as Club Fears Injury with Argentina

Lionel Messi's international commitments are causing a stir in Catalonia after it emerged Barcelona fear their star will suffer injury while on duty with Argentina.

Spanish newspaper Marca claimed the Blaugrana coaching staff are hoping Albiceleste coach and former Barca boss Gerardo Martino will return their talisman from his upcoming international fixtures in fine form.

Argentina play Bolivia and Mexico in Texas next week before Messi returns to Spain for a league clash against Atletico Madrid, where Luis Enrique's side will need their leading man firing on all cylinders.

Messi was a pivotal figure for Barcelona last season as he took the club to an illustrious European and domestic treble, with Barcastuff detailing it as one of the attacker's heaviest career campaigns to date:

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Last season, Messi played 5885 minutes for club+country, his 2nd highest after 2011/2012 when he played 6034 minutes [via @barca19stats]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) September 4, 2015"

The Marca report attests to Messi having played at least 90 minutes in his 43 consecutive outings for club and country, but it's claimed he'll sit out the fixture against Bolivia in Houston next Wednesday.

Atletico starlet Angel Correa recently joined up with the Argentina squad and told TyC Sports of his intention to star alongside Messi, hailing his team-mate as the best around, per ESPN FC: "We were playing together during training. I hope I can trick a lot of defenders by passing the ball to Messi because he is the best in the world."

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However, this isn't the first time Messi's international loyalties have arisen as a controversial topic. Despite winning four Ballon d'Or awards and numerous trophies at club level, Messi has been lumped with part of the blame for Argentina's lack of international success during his playing days.

It's namely Argentinian media outlets that have directed criticism at the player in the past, but Messi affirmed his intention to represent his nation when speaking to ESPN FC Radio in August, per ESPN FC:

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I never said that I wasn't going to play any longer with the national team. More than how they killed me [media], they weren't going to kill me any more. I am used to them saying these types of things. Now we have friendlies and as long as the coach calls me up I am going to continue to be present.

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If anything, Messi's desire to represent Argentina should only be greater after failing to live up to expectations on the international stage, finishing as runners-up to Germany in last year's World Cup final.

South American broadcaster Juan Arango provided quotes from Messi's Argentina team-mate Carlos Tevez, who illustrated what tough skin the player must have to keep fighting against such adversity:

In an ideal world, Barcelona would control where and when Messi plays, but Enrique is forced to share the marvel with his national team for the time being.

Denying the player of that privilege wouldn't be just, but Martino may risk the wrath of Europe's in-form outfit should their most valued possession suffer any unwelcome setbacks in the days to come.