Legendary Argentina captain, Lionel Messi has chosen to step down from international football “until further notice,” according to TNT Sports.
Having failed to take the World Cup title in his fourth attempt this summer, the Barcelona star has made himself unavailable for selection in Argentina’s upcoming friendlies.
The decision, which has the consent of AFA president, Claudio Tapia and interim coach, Lionel Scaloni, will remain in place for the rest of 2018 and, indeed, until Messi decides otherwise.
The country’s losses in three consecutive finals between 2014 and 2016 – two Copa Americas and one World Cup – didn’t exactly help Messi’s case.
He briefly retired from the national team, before returning and single-handedly guiding them to the 2018 World Cup, where they really struggled.
Messi managed just one goal in Russia as Argentina crashed out in the last-16 and there has been a lot of speculation about the 31-year-old’s international future.
And last night, reports came from Argentina declaring that Messi is taking a break from the team despite interim manager Lionel Scaloni trying to convince him.
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