Lionel Messi has rethought his sensational decision to retire from international football, according to Argentinian newspaper La Nacion.
Following his country’s latest loss in a competition final against Chile in the Copa America, in which he missed a spot-kick in the penalty shootout, Messi said that he was done with the national team after gaining a fourth silver medal in major competitions.
In the last three years, Messi and Argentina have finished runners-up to World Champions Germany in 2014, and have also lost in the last two finals of the Copa America, being beaten by Chile on penalties on both occasions.
Messi, 29, has now reportedly rethought his decision to retire early from national duty, and could play in Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers in November, missing their matches in September.
Messi’s decision to end his international career had been the subject of much speculation and comment, and Brazilian legend Pele recently urged Messi to reconsider his international retirement.
“In the last 10 years, no doubt he was the best player. What happened to him happens in football. Only the one who kicks the penalty can miss the penalty”, he told Sky Sports.
“He got very upset but maybe wait a little bit and he’ll forget because this has happened with a lot of good players. A lot of good players have missed penalty kicks. The last 15 years, for me, he was one of the best players in the world and this is more important.”
Messi’s Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez has also commented on the premature retirement, stating that he is “sure” that the Argentine forward will reverse his decision, and even Argentina president Mauricio Macri has chimed in, reportedly congratulating Messi for his role in La Albiceleste’s run to the final.
Messi became his country’s leading goal scorer during the Copa America, notching his 55th goal against the USA during Argentina’s 4-0 win. His only tournament success with Argentina remains the 2008 Summer Olympics, where they won gold after beating Nigeria 1-0 in the final, with PSG forward Angel Di Maria scoring the decisive goal.
Lionel Messi in Possible Turn Over Argentina Retirement -Linksop - http://linksop.com/2016/07/lionel-messi-in-possible-turn-over-argentina-retirement/
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