Mohammadi News Agency News – Features – Photo
MNA Sports Desk: Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will return to play for the national team for love of his country, despite earlier vowing to retire in frustration, he said on Friday.
The 29-year-old Barcelona megastar sensationally announced his retirement from international football on June 26 after Argentina crashed to defeat against Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.
“A lot of things went through my mind on the night of the final and I gave serious thought to quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too great,” he said in a statement.
Argentina’s new coach was set to announce later whether Messi would rejoin the squad for looming World Cup qualifiers.
National coach Edgardo Bauza met with Messi in Barcelona this week hoping to convince him to rejoin the squad.
“I sense that Messi wants” to rejoin the squad, Bauza told reporters on arriving back in Buenos Aires on Friday.
“There are a lot of issues that need to be resolved in Argentine football, but I prefer to help from within and not to criticize from the outside.” Messi’s statement said.
“I send my thanks to all of those who want me to continue playing for Argentina. I hope that we’ll be able to give them something to cheer about soon.”
