Argentina

The Barcelona forward said he would not play for Argentina again after the team lost to Chile in the final of the Copa America in the United States.

However, in a statement on Friday, Messi explained that he wanted to continue representing his country as he preferred "to help from within".

"I consider there to be a lot of problems in Argentine football and it's not my intention to create another one," the 29-year-old said.

Mr Macri said every 37 hours a woman was attacked in Argentina and that education was the key to ending deeply rooted cultural patterns of violence.

The plan, due to start next year, includes creating a network of women's refuges, and money for the electronic tagging of violent men.

Last year 235 women were killed in gender violence incidents in Argentina.

The government's National Plan for the Eradication of Violence against Women is putting into force a 2009 law.

Days of heavy rains brought on by El Nino have caused three major rivers to swell, and authorities have reported at least six weather-related deaths.

A state of emergency is in force in Paraguay, the worst hit nation, where 130,000 people have fled their homes.

In northern Argentina, some 20,000 people have left their homes.

Dry weather is forecast for the Brazil-Uruguay border region in the next few days, but in Paraguay and Argentina water levels are still expected to rise.

Paraguay

Coach Michael Cheika has picked the All Blacks and Hurricanes flyer at fullback for the match on Sunday morning, with Highlanders wing Waisake Naholo, Crusaders second five-eighth Ryan Crotty, Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga and Chiefs halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow the other four New Zealand players to get a start in the backs.

Up front, promising Hurricanes loose-forward Ardie Savea gets the nod at openside flanker, while Blues front-rower Charlie Faumuina will start at tighthead prop. Chiefs prop Jamie Mackintosh is on the reserves bench.

Francis spent time with fellow Argentinians Catire Walker and Noel Zemborain and their four children, talking about their visit and praying.

Zemborain told the Associated Press that Francis told her that they were crazy to drive so far with their children. She said it was like meeting an old friend and Francis hugged the children.