However, The Sun (via Argentinian publication, Ole) are now reporting that Messi will reverse his decision and aim to finally achieve success with his national side, starting with a meeting with new Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza in Spain.
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The Barcelona striker quit the team after his fourth major final defeat with his national team Argentina, and third as their captain, at the Copa America in the United States in June.
There have been persistent speculations that the Barcelona star will renounce his decision, with Argentina president Mauricio Macri being the latest one to claim that Messi would return for the World Cup in Russian Federation in 2018.
“In the last 48 hours, I’ve read everything”, he said on Friday.
“If you’re just going to leave [Messi] on his own, you’ll see again what happened against Chile, when he had four players on top of him”. “He has a game on Wednesday [for Barcelona against Sampdoria]”.
“I haven’t spoken with anyone at all. When Barca signed him I said he was a great player and that he could end up being one of the best in the world, and I think little by little he’s actually doing that”, Rivaldo told Barca TV. “I have felt frustrated for losing a match or a final and understand that statement (of quitting) when you are overwhelmed with frustration, but I know it can be reversed.” said Bauza, who is also known as “Paton” (big foot).
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Admitting that he has plenty of worries to address before Argentina face Uruguay in World Cup qualifying round, Bauza, however, called on his players to embrace their opportunity in order to create history. I was curious to see who it was, and froze when I saw it was my idol Messi. We’ll attack with everything and defend with everything. “We must seize the moment the players have to be protagonists for the national team”, he added. There is a lot to do, we’re starting to work.
