Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has landed in the Russian capital Moscow, ahead of Argentina's international matches against the 2018 World Cup hosts and three-time African champs Nigeria.

The Argentina Football Association has posted via Twitter a 45-second video of the Argentina skipper disembarking from a bus and he was accompanied by teammate Javier Mascherano.

Argentine-based newspapers Ole and Clarin have reiterated that Messi will skip the friendly against the Super Eagles, but will feature against the Russians this coming Saturday, November 11.

The Argentina squad has been decimated by injuries and the latest player to pull out from the roster is Sporting Clube de Portugal left back Marcos Acuña, who had to replaced in the 44th minute against Braga on Sunday after suffering an injury.

Torino defender Cristian Ansaldi has been summoned by the Argentina Football Association to replace Acuña.Messi and his teammates will begin training in Moscow on Monday afternoon.

Reports by Miyen Akiri