Celta's Spanish midfielder Denis Suarez (left) vies with Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 16, 2021. (PAU BARRENA / AFP)

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina captain Lionel Messi has lavished praise on Chile's national team as the South American rivals prepare to meet each other twice in the space of 11 days.

Argentina are due to face Colombia in another World Cup qualifier in Barranquilla on June 8 before turning their attention to the Copa America on home soil

A World Cup qualifier in Santiago del Estero on June 3 will be followed by a Copa America clash in Buenos Aires on June 13.

"It will be very tough ... Chile are a great team with very good players," Messi told the official website of the Argentine Football Association.

"Although they have a new coach [Martin Lasarte], and have not played many games under him, they have an experienced group of players and some young guys too. They are improving and are very competitive."

Argentina are due to face Colombia in another World Cup qualifier in Barranquilla on June 8 before turning their attention to the Copa America on home soil.

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Messi affirmed that the Albiceleste are aiming to improve on their third placing at the last Copa America in Brazil two years ago. But he admitted that a seven-month period without competition would prove challenging.

"In the last Copa America we left a good impression, but obviously we cannot be satisfied with that," the 33-year-old Barcelona forward said.

"The most recent qualifiers [last November] were good too. Unfortunately, a long time passed since then and we haven't been able to get back together."

Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 71 goals in 142 appearances said he was delighted to return to the international fold and lamented his country's ongoing battle against COVID-19.

"I'm happy to be here again with all the boys. The truth is that it's a strange situation that we are going through. Our preparation hasn't been normal. But little by little we are coming together and getting ready for two qualifiers that are going to be very difficult," he added.