'Lionel Messi must retire a World Cup winner' says Argentina boss
Sunday 9 October 2016 15:06, UK
Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza believes Lionel Messi deserves to retire from international football in style as a World Cup winner.
Messi quit playing for his country after three successive final losses - to Germany in the 2014 World Cup, to Chile in the 2015 Copa America and to Chile again in the Copa America Centenario in June - but had a change of heart after talks with Bauza in August.
For Bauza, Messi's initial decision was borne out of frustration rather than any real desire to turn his back on Argentina.
"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," Bauza told the Catalan newspaper Sport.
"I didn't meet Messi to persuade him. I was convinced that during our chat a chance would open up."
Joining Messi, the five-time World Player of the Year, at the meeting with the new boss of the Albiceleste in Barcelona was Javier Mascherano, his club team-mate.
"After our talks, all I had to say was, 'OK, boys, you'll be picked for the next game'," Bauza said.
"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 have recovered from a groin injury in time to play a part in Argentina's next World Cup qualifiers - against Brazil on November 10 and Colombia on November 15.
