Lionel Messi's camp have denied that the PSG star asked to miss fixtures in early November so that he could prepare for the World Cup.
The Argentine has been in sensational form this term as he spearheads PSG's ambitions, but is also set to play in what will be his final World Cup. Messi, whose best effort was a runners-up medal in 2014, is looking to back up his country's Copa America success with victory in Qatar next month.
A mid-season World Cup has presented its own problems and leagues throughout the world have had to pause so that the tournament can go ahead. PSG's final game before the break is a clash with Auxerre in Paris on November 13 and there had been reports of Messi requesting to miss the contest.
A clause in the 35-year-old's contract was thought to free him up, meaning he could join up with his country from November 7. That has since been dismissed, as first reported by RMC Sport. Several players have already seen their World Cup dreams dashed with the likes of N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba set to be absent.
Messi will want to avoid that himself, but has denied an agreement which would allow him to miss PSG's final match before the World Cup. The Parisian outfit are already five points clear in Ligue 1 and are yet to lose this season with Messi scoring 12 times in all competitions.
His nation are in the midst of a 35 match unbeaten streak and claimed continental glory last season. Argentina head to the Middle East as one of the favourites to claim the World Cup having been put in a group with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland. The South American country have not won the World Cup since Diego Maradona led them to success in Mexico City back in 1986.
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Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the World Cup Delivery and Legacy Committee, has previously told Télam that he would like to see Messi triumph. He said: “Seeing Messi lift the trophy in what could be his last World Cup would be something really special for us as organisers.
“The Argentine team is on an incredible run at the moment and comes into the competition as one of the favourites. There are many fans of Argentina and Leo Messi in Qatar, and, for many, Argentina will probably be their second team after the Qatar team.”
Argentina begin their campaign on November 22 against Saudi Arabia. PSG and Messi will resume their Ligue 1 efforts on December 28 against Strasbourg - ten days after the World Cup final - as they look to triumph domestically and in Europe.
