Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers hours after reversing his decision to retire from global football.
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The Barcelona forward said he would not play for Argentina again after the team lost to Chile in the final of the Copa America in the United States.
Lionel Messi has confirmed in a statement his intention to return to the Argentina national team.
I love my shirt and my country too much.
Argentina, headed up by new coach Edgardo Bauza, will begin its qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation by facing Uruguay on September 1 and Venezuela on September 6.
Lionel Messi is back for Argentina.
Messi had spoken out against the AFA, Argentina’s governing soccer body, leading up to the Copa America. “That’s four finals [lost], it’s not for me”, Messi said after the match.
‘We need to fix many things in Argentinian football, but I prefer to do this from inside and not criticise from outside’. “I don’t want to cause any harm, I’ve always tried to do the exact opposite and help out in whatever way possible”.
The Barca legend had clearly become disillusioned with playing for his national side and it appeared as though he would now concentrate his efforts on life at the Nou Camp.
“I seriously thought about leaving, but my love for Argentina and this jersey forced me to return”.
The Barcelona legend thanked all the fans for supporting through the dark times, and he hoped that the team can bring joy to the fans very soon.
Villa – now captain of MLS outfit New York City having played alongside Messi for three years at Barcelona winning two LaLiga titles and a Champions League crown among others – was asked to rank the 29-year-old alongside the greats.
The announcement sparked distress in the South American country.
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A record five-time world player of the year, Messi hadn’t talked publicly after shocking Argentina and the rest of the world with his unexpected resignation.
