Lionel Messi and his Argentina cohorts were all smiles in training ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifying clash with Chile in Santiago.

The Barcelona star has not played for his country since July 2015, missing all of their qualifying campaign so far, and without Messi La Albiceleste have struggled.

After four games Gerardo Martino's side are sixth in the CONEMBOL qualification table, where only the top four finishers are guaranteed a World Cup berth.

Sharp shooters Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero shared a joke during training at Argentina's Azeira base

Angel Correa, Augusto Fernandez, Ezeuqiel Lavezzi, Messi, Aguero and Marcos Rojo rebuilt bonds in training

The Barca star hasn't played for his country since last July and missed all of their World Cup qualifiers so far

It was all fun and games for Messi and co as Pablo Zabaleta bore the brunt of some light-hearted punishment

ARGENTINA'S FIXTURES March 24: v Chile (a), Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos, Santiago March 30: v Bolivia (h), Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba Advertisement

With 14 games left to play there is plenty of time for Messi's presence to tell for his country and the player himself looked delighted to be back training with the national side.

Argentina will be looking for a return to form against Chile in Santiago on Thursday before hosting Bolivia next on March 30.

However the playing surface at Cordoba's Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes is a bone of contention for some of the Argentina squad.

The Manchester City defender laughed it off and was soon back in the thick of the training ground action

Manchester United back-up Sergio Romero was certainly taking it seriously as tried to keep the squad at bay

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino (L) was in in no mood for horseplay with midfielder Matias Kranevitter

Despite that minor dissatisfaction the squad seemed very pleased to see the return of Messi, their talismanic playmaker, as they prepare to fly to Chile later this week.

Fellow front-man Sergio Aguero in particular was delighted to see the 2015 Ballon d'Or winner. Messi's return is apparently a big weight off the City man's shoulders.

'It's total relief to play with Messi,' Aguero said after arriving in Buenos Aires with Manchester City team mate Pablo Zabaleta and Manchester United's Marcos Rojo.

'Leo is always important for us and it's obvious we're happy when he's here because it's really nice to play with him.'

Nothing could kill Messi's mood as Aguero stayed focused, the City man is 'relieved' to see Messi back