admin
BOUENOS AIRES — Argentina FA President Claudio Fabián Tapia has made a statement with regards to Lionel Messi’s future with the national side, following their disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign.
La Albiceleste were bundled out at the round of 16 by France, while they managed to scrape the group stages with just one win. Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia announced their retirement shortly after the elimination and many have wondered if Messi was no done with international football.
However, Tapia believes the Barcelona superstar will continue playing for national side.
“Emotionally, this blow must have been very hard on him, but Argentina needs him,” Tapia told Radio Mitre. “From a financial standpoint, Messi is very important to the AFA.
“I think Messi will continue. He loves the Argentina national team a lot. We have a lot of confidence in him.”
Tapia, who was in contact with Messi last week, said the Argentina captain needs to be given some time to decide if he’ll return to the Albiceleste.
“We have a good relationship,” Tapia said. “He is on holiday and enjoying with his family. We did not speak at all about the World Cup. “We have to leave him alone, let him (collect his thoughts), begin the season in Spain and see what happens next year.” — Kick-Off.
Online Reporter