Temas: Friendlies, Lionel Messi, Argentina, Real Madrid
The Barcelona superstar was spotted at Los Blancos' training facility.

Lionel Messi has returned for international duty with Argentina after being in exile for over nine months. The 31-year-old forward joined his teammates on Monday to train at Real Madrid's Valdebebas training complex ahead of games against Venezuela and Morocco on Friday and Tuesday respectively.

Following an unsatisfactory campaign at last summer's World Cup where Argentina was eliminated by eventual winners France, Messi announced his decision to take a break from the national team. The Albiceleste skipper registered just one goal in four matches in Russia before his side went crashing out in the last 16.

In the Barcelona star's absence, Argentina has played six friendlies of which there have been four wins, as well as a draw and a defeat apiece for Lionel Scaloni's side. Relatively, the Rosario-born attacker has had his fair share of success as his club side sits atop Spanish league in the ongoing campaign.

Evidently, that is fairly due to the impressive form of the Blaugrana skipper who leads Europe's top 5 Leagues this season with the most goals (28) and assists (12) registered across all competitions. On Sunday, the 31-year-old's rise continued at Real Betis' Estadio Benito Villamarín where attracted a standing ovation by bagging a hat trick in sublime fashion.

Here is Lionel Messi training alongside his teammates on Monday in Madrid: