10 October,2016 09:01 AM IST | | AFP
Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza believes Lionel Messi deserves to retire from international football in style as a World Cup winner. Messi flirted with the notion of quitting playing for his country after three successive final heartbreaks. But the Barcelona star had a change of heart
Lionel Messi
Madrid: Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza believes Lionel Messi deserves to retire from international football in style as a World Cup winner. Messi flirted with the notion of quitting playing for his country after three successive final heartbreaks. But the Barcelona star had a change of heart.
"When we were chatting it occurred to me he was very interested in selection and what worried him more than anything was how to improve," said Bauza. "I didn't meet Messi to persuade him, I was convinced that during our chat a chance would open up. After our talks all I had to say was 'ok boys, you'll be picked for the next game'," Bauza recalled.
"I reckon he still has a lot to give to the team. He deserves to take his retirement in another way, he deserves to end his international career as a champion." Bauza is hoping Messi will play a part in Argentina's next World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia on November 10 and 15.
