Argentine star Lionel Messi shrugged off concerns over a training ground injury on Saturday, with teammates insisting that the Barcelona superstar will be firing on all cylinders at the World Cup.

Messi was forced to cut short a practice game on Friday after hurting his right knee in a clash with Liverpool star Javier Mascherano.

However, on Saturday, team doctor Donato Villani said the team's inspiration had suffered no serious setbacks.

"It was only a scratch," he told the Argentine football federation website.

Messi was back in action on Saturday, scoring a goal in training and playing just behind strike duo Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain.

"Messi's fine. It was just a knock," said midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

Argentina are training at the national football centre at Ezeiza, close to the airport at Buenos Aires, where they are preparing for a friendly against Canada on Monday at River Plate's stadium.

Only three squad members will be missing - Walter Samuel and Diego Milito (Inter Milan) and Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), who were taking part in the Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday.

Argentina are due to fly to South Africa on Friday.

They have been drawn in Group B at the World Cup finals along with South Korea, Greece and Nigeria.

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