Football
ESPN staff 8y

Lionel Messi: I didn't deceive anybody about Argentina retirement

Lionel Messi claims that he did not deceive anybody by announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team after losing in the Copa America Centenario final.

Messi, 29, announced his retirement from international football following Argentina's penalty shootout loss against Chile this summer, but decided to return to the national team following discussions with new boss Edgardo Bauza.

Having scored the only goal in Argentina's 1-0 win over Uruguay to help his country go top of the the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification standings on Thursday, the Barcelona star explained his reason for reversing his decision.

"I am very grateful [to return to the national team]," Messi told TV Publica. "But I did not deceive anybody when I retired, I felt that.

"We were very disappointed with what had happened, but after that I thought better. I had a conversation with the Paton [Bauza] and the people as well accompanied me through it."

Despite his commitment to the national team, Messi's participation in next Tuesday's World Cup qualifier away to Venezuela is in doubt after he suffered a groin injury in the Uruguay win.

He told reporters: "My groin hurts a lot but I wanted to be here after all the chaos I created, but saying that I wouldn't return and then saying I would."

He said he was unsure about the trip to Venezuela.

"I don't know if I can be there. My groin hurts a lot," he told reporters. "It is messed up and it could get worse. I always want to play, but the truth is that the season is just starting and there are a lot of important matches ahead of us. I'll see what the doctor says and go by how I feel."

Fans hung banners at the stadium in Mendoza to show their support. One said: 'Messi doesn't abandon us,' another read: 'Leon, don't leave us again.'

Messi said he was touched by the outpouring of support.

"I never imagined how the fans were going to respond when I said that [retirement]," Messi told reporters. "Right from the beginning I received all kinds of messages of support and love.

"From the time we arrived in Mendoza, the fans have been incredible. Everything has been special from the time I touched down in Argentina.

"I was coming from a huge disappointment, but things have changed and I am very happy to be here again." 

Asked about the problems within Argentina FA, Messi said the situation was no secret.

"Everyone knows what Argentina football is going through. Little by little it is going to get resolved. We must help any way we can."

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