World Cup victor Diego Maradona has called on compatriot Lionel Messi not to abandon worldwide football after the Argentina captain announced he was quitting the national side following Sunday’s Copa America final defeat. They lost last years Copa final to host Chile on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw.
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However, Maradona – who coached Messi at the World Cup in 2010 – has implored the five-time Ballon d’Or victor to play on until the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
‘He has to stay because he still has playing days ahead of him, ‘ Maradona told La Nacion newspaper.
Some national team fans resorted to social media, calling their biggest star a quitter and saying that the 29-year-old would still be young enough to at least try to help Argentina win the coveted title in the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
On Tuesday Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri, football legend Diego Maradona and millions of fans around the world joined an ever-increasing chorus pleading the player to reverse his decision. Messi’s decision to retire from national duty might give a full stop to it or trigger comparisons afresh.
After losing his fourth final for his country – after the World Cup two years ago and the Copa America in 2007 and 2015 – an emotional Messi said: ‘That’s it.
Argentina are already six games into their qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup.
And the 27-year-old looked to be thrilled as he posed for a picture with both of the trophies after Sunday’s epic victory.
Nicolas Russo, the president of the Argentine club Lanus, said the Argentine Football Association will try to change his mind.
On top of everything, I missed the penalty kick, Messi told TyC.
Messi ended his worldwide career after the defeat.
Sergio Romero, Argentina’s goalkeeper, said Messi spoke in the heat of the moment and he wants him to reconsider.
“That’s the way I feel right now, it’s a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important”.
Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique said, “I imagine it was a very hard blow”. He also has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona.
In this month’s Copa semi-final win over the United States, he became Argentina’s top global scorer of all time with his 55th goal. “I think it’s best for everyone, for me and for many people who want it”.
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But following his most recent setback, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Messi insisted his global career was over.
