BARCELONA said Monday that Lionel Messi has hurt his left hamstring and may not play in Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

    Messi will travel to join the Argentina squad, but his “presence in his country’s World Cup qualifying matches will depend on how the injury develops,” Barcelona said.

    The club statement said the medical report confirming the injury was jointly approved by its medical staff and the Argentine football federation.

    Argentina hosts Uruguay on Thursday and plays at Venezuela on Sept. 6.

    Barcelona reported the injury a day after Messi played throughout its 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish league.

    Meanwhile, teenage sensation Gabriel Jesus has been given Brazil’s fabled No. 9 shirt for their World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Colombia next month, the country’s football confederation said Monday.

    Jesus will wear the number made famous by legendary figures such as Tostao and Ronaldo, who led the Selecao to World Cup glory in 1970 and 2002 respectively. Barcelona forward Neymar was allocated No. 10 while Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho was handed No. 11. Jesus’ striker partner Gabriel Barbosa, who last week signed with Inter Milan from Santos, will wear No. 21.

    Brazil will play Ecuador in Quito on Thursday followed by a clash against Colombia in Manaus five days later.

    (SD-Agencies)