Lionel Messi’s return to Argentina didn’t go quite as planned.

The South American nation were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat to Venezuela, with the media in Spain claiming Messi looked ‘tired and fatigued’ in his first international appearance in eight months.

Worse for Messi is that he suffered an injury during the defeat and will miss Tuesday’s friendly against Morocco.

Barcelona released a statement that said: “Whilst he would feature from start to finish, a problem with his pubis means that Messi will not play in the second friendly of the international break."

So, not the return that Messi or Argentina were hoping for.

Lionel Scaloni’s plans to re-integrate the 31-year-old into the squad ahead of this summer’s Copa America have taken a setback.

And it’s not just on the pitch where Argentina will suffer as a result of Messi’s absence.

Argentina miss out on €450,000

Moroccan daily newspaper Al Ahdaz al Magrebiya, per Marca, say the Argentine FA will miss out on €450,000 because Messi will not play on Tuesday.

The Morocco Football Federation had been due to pay the AFA €1 million as part of a clause in the match contract. Messi was to play at least 70 minutes of the match.

But with Messi not featuring, the MFF will only pay the AFA €550,000. That’s a deduction of €450,000.

Spanish publication Sport say the MFF was hoping to maximise the commercial opportunities of Messi’s appearance.

But the match is no longer as appealing to international providers.

While the MFF will save money, they have been left disappointed by Messi’s no-show.

Per Sport, the African nation was hoping to play against a strong Argentina side. And the strongest Argentina side, of course, includes Messi in it.

Losing 3-1 to Venezuela with Messi playing isn’t promising for the hopes of this Argentina side without him.