'We did not talk about his future' - Scaloni unsure when Messi will return to Argentina fold

Argentina's interim coach Lionel Scaloni has admitted that he does not know when or if Lionel Messi will return to international football.

Scaloni, who famously received the nod ahead of Javier Zanetti in Argentina's 2006 World Cup squad, was appointed caretaker boss alongside Pablo Aimar when Jorge Sampaoli was relieved of his duties after a last-16 exit in Russia.

His first squad at the Albiceleste helm sees a host of new faces included, while the likes of Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi are left out.

Messi's absence has been one of the big talking points, with some reports suggesting that he will play no further part in the national team for the rest of 2018, but Scaloni insists that he has not discussed the issue with Argentina's captain.