Argetine football legend Diego Maradona has pleaded with Lionel Messi to rescind his decision to retire from global football, following Argentina’s Copa America Centenario final loss to Chile.
Advertisement
However, Argentina’s defeat on penalties for the second time in a year to Chile has overtaken Messi’s concerns for now.
“In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it’s not for me”, the 29-year-old forward said.
The 1986 World Cup victor Maradona, 55, blamed Argentina’s recent lack of trophies on the country’s football association (AFA).
“He has to stay because he still has playing days ahead of him”, Maradona, 55, told La Nacion newspaper. “He must go on because he has it in him and will last for a long while, because he will reach Russian Federation in conditions to become world champion”.
29-year-old Messi announced his retirement from the worldwide football after missing his spot-kick in the decisive shootout as Argentina once again lost to Chile. “It was the cup that he (Messi) had to win, more than anything it is something that he deserves and I just don’t want him to leave the national team”. Lionel Messi had been downgraded by several Argentine fans, who claim that he doesn’t gives “his 100 percent” as an Argentine player.
“It’s been four finals, it’s not recommended for me”.
The Barcelona superstar left the field in tears after missing a spot-kick in the Copa America Centenario final shootout against Chile on Sunday. One of them read: “Messi: I love you more than I love my mum”.
Without mentioning Messis decision, Argentina President Mauricio Macri said on Twitter that despite the sadness, we are very proud of the national team. “I hope the joy of seeing the best in the world will continue for many more years”, he wrote. It pains me more than anyone not being able to be a champion with Argentina, but thats the way it is.
Considered alongside Brazil’s Pele and Argentina’s Diego Maradona as the sport’s greatest, Messi won the titles at the under-20 and Olympic (under-23) levels for Argentina.
The Argentine captain, Lionel Messi, stood up to take the first penalty in the shootout at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, but shockingly skied his shot.
‘He has to rely more on boys who can help take the team forward and less on those who say they have to go.
The Barcelona superstar left the field in tears after missing a spot-kick in the Copa America Centenario final shootout against Chile on Sunday.
He promptly told reporters he was quitting, throwing Argentine football into turmoil ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
Advertisement
In this month’s Copa semi-final win over the United States, he became Argentina’s top worldwide scorer of all time with his 55th goal.
