Lionel Mess, others undergo surprise drug tests

Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club FC Barcelona Lionel Andrés Messi and his fellow Argentinian World Cup squad members were subjected to an unexpected anti-doping test on Tuesday, a day after the squad convened for the start of a training camp in the Buenos Aires suburbs.

According to Argentine sports channel TyC Sports, six FIFA-appointed doctors were sent to the team’s training base in Ezeiza, where players were forced to train inside due to the cold, foggy conditions. 

Midfielders Fernando Gago and Ever Banega trained separately from the rest of the squad with the pair still working their way back from injury.

Meanwhile Angel Di Maria, who helped Real Madrid win the Champions League final on Saturday, touched down Tuesday in Buenos Aires before taking a private jet to his hometown Rosario. He is scheduled to join the group at the end of the week.

Two-time world champions Argentina, who haven’t been past the quarter-finals since the 1990 World Cup, will play debutants Bosnia in their Group F opener on June 15.

The South Americans have also been drawn alongside Iran and African Cup of Nations champions Nigeria.