Argentina's chief doctor Homero de Agostino has warned Barcelona about the dangers of rushing Lionel Messi back from a serious knee problem.

The 28-year-old has been on the sidelines since suffering cruciate ligament damage at the end of September, but has been working towards a return for El Clasico on November 21.

Barca boss Luis Enrique recently claimed that Messi has a chance of making the clash with Real Madrid, but De Agostino has said that an early return would not be beneficial for the attacker in the long term.

"The risk of aggravating the injury if Messi plays the Clasico is high," he told Cadena SER. "I don't think that he can get in condition to play the Clasico. The coach (Luis Enrique) cannot rely on a newly recovered player."

Messi has not been included in the latest Argentina squad.