Soccer-Roundup 3-Barca's Messi to recuperate in Argentina

LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) - Soccer news in brief from around the world.

* Barcelona have reached an agreement with the medical staff of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) for forward Lionel Messi to return to Argentina to recover from the thigh injury he sustained during his side's victory over Celtic in the last 16 of the Champions League last week.

Barca said on their Web site (www.fcbarcelona.com) that the 20-year-old would return to the club at the end of the month to complete his recovery programme.

* Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has extended his contract until 2013 after signing a previous deal running to 2012 just nine months ago, the Serie A club said in a statement. (Editing by Miles Evans)