Lionel Messi is expected to be fit to play in Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The Barcelona superstar is recovering from the hamstring injury that cut short his club season.

It has been touch-and-go as to whether or not Messi would win his fitness race to skipper his country against Colombia at home in Buenos Aires on June 7 and away in Ecuador four days later.

But Barca’s physio, Juan Jose Brau, says that Messi’s rehabilitation is going smoothly, and he should be ready to play for Argentina.

"Leo is recovering very well," Brau said.

"He will be able to play."

Messi meanwhile, is determined to play for Argentina, as they South American World Cup qualification leaders seek to book their ticket to the competition in Brazil next year.

"I keep working hard to recover to try and be with Argentina for its challenges," Messi said on his Tencent Weibo account.

"I want to play the qualifying games."