The blow came less than two weeks after Messi said he was quitting following defeat to Chile in the Copa America Centenario – which sparked demonstrations by fans desperate for him to stay.
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Martino took over in August 2014 and his team lost two finals to Chile in the Copa America in 2015 and 2016.
The 53-year-old oversaw 29 wins, seven draws and three defeats since taking charge of the team following their defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup.
He led the team to the Copa America final a year ago and again last month in the centenary edition.
Since Messi indicated his intention to move away from the worldwide scene, Argentina supporters have staged protests in the country’s capital Buenos Aires in an attempt to convince him to change his mind.
Martino spoke with AFA vice president Claudio Tapia on Tuesday to express his displeasure over the problems the federation has been having with putting together a squad for next month’s Olympic tournament in Rio.
However, Messi’s global retirement and unrest within the Argentine Football Association and serious problems with squad selection ahead of the Games, has forced him to reconsider.
The move comes on the heels of the announcement by Barcelona star Lionel Messi that he will retire from national team play after the Copa America loss. The national team is not for me.
Earlier today the president of the Argentine Olympic Committee, Gerardo Werthein, said chances that Argentina could be taking its national football team to Rio were only at “50 percent”.
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AFA President Luis Segura was removed from his position by Federation Internationale de Football Association last month, with secretary Damian Dupiellet temporarily taking over in the role.
