Tuesday 2 August 2016 11:03, UK
Argentina's newly-appointed head coach Edgardo Bauza is confident of persuading Lionel Messi to return to international football.
Messi retired from his national side in the wake of the penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile in the final of the Copa America earlier this summer.
However, former Sao Paolo boss Bauza, who was appointed as Argentina's new head coach on Monday, says he will discuss his plans for the national side with Messi.
"I'm optimistic about Messi," Bauza said. "I hope the chat with him will help for him to carry on in the national team.
"I want to explain to Messi what my (tactical) idea is. The least of my worries is his position on the pitch.There's no need to convince Messi of anything, the plan is to talk about football."
Bauza replaces Gerardo Martino, who resigned as manager following the loss to Chile. Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli were also linked with the vacant role.
The 58-year-old, who won three caps for the Argentina national side, has a wealth of experience managing clubs across South America.
The highlight of Bauza's managerial career was guiding Ecuadorian club LDU Quito to the Copa Libertadores in 2008 before he achieved the feat for a second time with San Lorenzo in 2014.
Bauza takes charge of Argentina three days before the start of the Olympics in Brazil.
He is not expected to take charge of the Olympic side and will instead make his debut as head coach when Argentina host Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier on September 3.
