Argentina’s president Mauricio Macri has personally contacted Lionel Messi to try and persuade the Barcelona star to not quit the national team just as Diego Maradona insists Lionel Messi must not follow through on his vow to quit international football
Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer Lionel Messi dropped a bombshell following Sunday’s Copa America Centenario final loss to Chile.
An emotional Messi dropped a bombshell following Argentina’s heartbreaking 4-2 penalty shoot-out loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final on Sunday, announcing his intention to walk away from the national team.
The 29-year-old’s revelation came in the wake of Argentina’s third consecutive defeat in a major final as their 23-year wait for a title continued.
But Argentine legend Maradona – regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all-time – said Messi, whom he coached during his time as national team boss between 2008 and 2010, must play at the 2018 World Cup.
“Messi has to stay in the national team. He will go to Russia in form to be world champion,” Maradona said via La Nacion.
“He has to rely more on boys who can help take the team forward and less on those who say they have to go.
“Those who are saying he should quit are doing it so that we won’t see what a disaster Argentine football has become.”
Messi’s plan to retire comes as the Argentine Football Association (AFA) implodes.
With the AFA’s presidential election marred by controversy and uncertainty, Maradona added: “I am very sorry and very angry with what is happening to Argentine football.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s president Mauricio Macri has personally contacted Lionel Messi to try and persuade the Barcelona star to not quit the national team.
Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in Sunday’s Copa America final, while Messi missed a spot-kick and was in tears at the final whistle.
After the match, the 29-year-old claimed that his international career was over: “In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it’s not for me.
“That’s the way I feel right now, it’s a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important.”
But a spokesman for Argentina’s president told AFP: “He [Macri] called him and told him how proud he feels of the national team’s performance and asked him not to listen to the criticism.”
Marci also posted his support for Messi via his official Twitter page.
“I never feel greater pride in our team,” he said.
“I hope the joy of seeing the best in the world will continue for many years more.
