Lionel Messi's faltering Argentina team will reach the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia despite their precarious position in the qualifiers, sacked coach Edgardo Bauza said on Tuesday.

Argentina forward Paulo Dybala scores a delightful first-half double to eclipse illustrious compatriot Lionel Messi as Juventus record a stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.

Lionel Messi "cried tears of frustration" in his battle to beat vomiting urges and muscle problems, says the Italian doctor who claims he revamped the Barcelona striker's lifestyle to maintain his superstar status.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique paid tribute to his squad's strength in depth after they won 4-1 at Granada on Sunday without suspended talisman and La Liga top scorer Lionel Messi to stay on the heels leaders Real Madrid.

The Argentine FA, lacking proper leadership since 2015 and fearful its national team might not reach the World Cup finals without banned captain Lionel Messi, elected a third-tier club chairman and former roadsweeper as its president on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi's four-match international ban for swearing at an assistant referee was "unfair and totally disproportionate", his Spanish club Barcelona said Wednesday.

Lionel Messi converted a penalty as Argentina laboured to a 1-0 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday that put them back in the automatic qualifying spots for next year's finals in Russia.

Barcelona were pitted against Italian champions Juventus in the Champions League quarter-final draw made on Friday to set up a repeat of the 2015 final which the Spanish side won 3-1.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane hailed goalkeeper Keylor Navas's contribution as the European champions leapfrogged Barcelona into top spot in La Liga despite the latest a series of blunders this season from the Costa Rican on Sunday.

Barcelona suffered a hangover from their remarkable Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain as Alex Bergantinos's winner 16 minutes from time handed Deportivo la Coruna a famous 2-1 win on Sunday.

Barcelona's amazing 6-1 victory over Paris St Germain on Wednesday that sent them through to the Champions League quarter-finals will forever stay in the memories of supporters, coach Luis Enrique said.

“It's Messi! Messi is the one I follow in football. I follow his delivery and his skills, and whenever I am on the field, I try to play like him,” she said. Her eyes were beaming with excitement as she spoke about her idol.

They don't have a playground in their school. They don't have fans or lights in their classroom. They live in extreme poverty and their fathers temporarily migrate to big cities including Dhaka to pull rickshaws when they are done with the seasonal harvesting.

Ivan Rakitic believes "a miracle" is possible when Barcelona attempt to overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero will lead Argentina's bid to resurrect their flagging World Cup campaign in crucial qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia later this month.

Argentina defender Marcos Rojo's form for Manchester United has earned him a recall to a 26-man squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia later this month.

Footballers in Argentina pushed ahead with a strike on Friday over unpaid wages, forcing the year's first league games to be suspended despite a $22 million government payout, officials said.

Fans at next year's World Cup and this year's Confederations Cup in Russia will need special identity cards before they can watch matches, soccer's governing body said Thursday.

Barcelona must believe in their ability to make history as the first Champions League team to overturn a 4-0 first-leg deficit when they line up against Paris St Germain at Camp Nou on March 8, captain Andres Iniesta said on Monday.

Barcelona will open a soccer academy in southern China this year in partnership with local developer Mission Hills Group, the La Liga club said on Friday.