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| Lionel Messi returns to Argentina national team |
FC Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi has finally rescinded his decision to retire from international football and will return to the Argentina national team to continue helping his nation, reports claim.
After a disappointing campaign in the 2016 Copa America which saw Lionel Messi put up magnificent performances but ended up missing a crucial penalty in the final that meant the Albiceleste miss out on the trophy for the second consecutive year in the final, losing out on penalties to Chile on both occasions.
The outcome which meant Messi will still be without a senior international trophy left the player in tears and the frustration led to the his retirement, he stated saying “The Argentina national team is done for me. Losing out on four finals in unbearable.”
However, there will be all smiles in the faces of Argentines as their captain has decided to return to the national team. After the Copa America loss, Coach Tata Martino resigned which led to the appointment of Bauza as interim manager. The manager travelled all the way to Barcelona to speak with Messi and Mascherano and try to convince them to return. He was in the stands to witness Lionel Messi score twice and provide an assist whilst delivering a wonderful display overall to help Barcelona beat Sampdoria 3-2 in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday.
It now seems like Messi valued the coach's effort and he will return to playing for Argentina next month.
According to sources Rac1, Catalunya Radio and Mundo Deportivo, Messi will make it official soon and he will join the team as soon as possible, being available for the games against Venezuela and Uruguay in September as they look to qualify and win the Russia 2018 World Cup tournament.
The arrival of Messi is a huge boost for Argentina as they will need him to gain qualification into the World Cup. He's their best player, their captain and also their all time top scorer.
UPDATE: It is now official! Lionel Messi has personally confirmed that he will return to playing for the Argentina national team in a statement saying:
“I see many problems in Argentinian football and I don’t want to become another one. I want to help in every way I can. There are lots of things to fix in Argentinian football and I don't want to criticize from the outside but help change it from the inside. I want to thank everyone that wants to see me play for Argentina again and I hope to make them happy soon.”
