Messi arrived at training on Thursday feeling ill and was promptly sent home by coach Diego Maradona.

But Argentina team doctor Donato Villani has denied that 23-year-old Messi is suffering anything more serious than a cold.

"Messi has flu-like symptoms but nothing serious and it was decided he should not practice," Villani told Clarin.com.

"Tomorrow, he will be required to rest."

The Barcelona star is yet to find the back of the net in South Africa, but his efforts up the pitch have set up numerous goals for team-mates like Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez, as Argentina finds itself unbeaten at the tournament so far.

Despite the illness Villani expects Messi to line-up for the Albicelestes against Germany in Cape Town on Saturday night.