Messi set to return to international football: Lionel Messi hasn’t played for Argentina since the World Cup in Russia this summer.
Argentina endured a disappointing run in the World Cup in Russia this summer. The side lost to eventual champions France in the round-of-16 of the tournament.
Lionel Messi has since not represented the national team in the new season. The forward has not spoken about his future with Argentina as well.
There have been speculations that Messi has made his mind to retire from international football. He announced his retirement after a painful loss in the final of Copa America in 2016.
However, Spanish football outlet Marca has now revealed that Messi might be set to make another comeback in national colours.
Messi set to return to international football:
Lionel Messi could return for Argentina in the Copa America 2019, scheduled to be played in June 2019.
However, it has also been reported that Messi won’t take part in any of the international friendlies preceding the tournament.
📰 [MARCA] | Leo Messi has decided that he will join the Argentina squad for the 2019 Copa America in Brazil pic.twitter.com/dQoeB0Wdmg
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) December 29, 2018
📰 [Sport] | Messi, champion of the year
🔶 The blaugrana crack is the king of goal. Finishes 2018 as the best scorer in the world and for the 3rd consecutive year beats Cristiano Ronaldo.
🔷 Barça returns today to training sessions.
🔶 Argentina dreams with Messi’s return. pic.twitter.com/1kPMht4w9Q
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) December 29, 2018
Earlier, Claudio Tapia, the president of the Argentinian FA, met Lionel Messi during the final of Copa Libertadores earlier this month at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Leo never left the national team, so I have no doubt that he will return when he is called up,” he stated at that time.
Marca has stated that Messi wanted ‘some time away from international team’ to make his future with Argentina clear.
Scaloni (Argentina coach): “I do not talk very often with Messi, but we have a relationship. We are going to try for him to join us in 2019, we have pending talks and we are optimistic that it will be positive.” pic.twitter.com/5BiayBrhct
— Leo Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi) December 29, 2018
#SCALONI: ”
“I do not talk very often with Messi, but we have a relationship”“We are going to try for him to join us in 2019, we have pending talks and we are optimistic that it will be positive”
“For us it’s important. Any coach would like to coach him, myself more than any” pic.twitter.com/wVVG4G8pZO
— Argentina Football (@ARG_soccernews) December 29, 2018
Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni also met Messi after the final, and stated that he’s positive about Messi’s return to international football.
“I do not talk very often with Messi, but we have a relationship,” said Scaloni.
“We are going to try for him to join us in 2019, we have pending talks and we are optimistic that it will be positive.
Claudio Tapia (AFA president): “Messi never left the NT. I think the love he has for Argentina is so deep and when they need him he’ll go, I have no doubt. We know it depends on the manager, not him.” [sport] pic.twitter.com/QfsmxktduN
— Barça Centre (@barcacentre) December 26, 2018
“For us it is something important. Any coach would like to coach him, myself more than any.”
