Argentina boss Gerardo Martino claims he would have quit the national team if he were Lionel Messi due to the heavy criticism the forward receives for his performances.
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Messi was slammed by critics and some supporters following the Albiceleste’s final defeat on penalties to host nation Chile, with the Barcelona star having scored just once during the competition.
“Neither via his mouth, nor my mouth, nor the mouth of Argentina football association’s president has Messi’s absence been called for”.
He told Liberman Broadcasting: “Messi is not absent from the friendly match. You’ll find out when I name my squad next week”, Martino is quoted as saying by Marca.
The coach also justified his decision to send on Gonzalo Higuaín in the second half of the Copa America final against Chile, eventually lost on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
“I shouldn’t even respond to this type of criticism, because it’s unbelievable”.
“Talk of him considering retiring from the national team is frustrating but understandable; if I was Messi, I’d have stopped playing for Argentina a long time ago.”
While there are efforts being made to reschedule the friendly, billed the Superclasico de las Americas, in Martino’s mind it shouldn’t affect Messi’s availability one way or another. It wouldn’t stand up to analysis and has no basis.’.
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Argentina have not won a major trophy since 1993 and Martino is now looking to pick the strongest possible side to take on Mexico on September 8.
