Argentina were knocked out of the 2018 World Cup with a thrilling 4-3 loss to eventual Champions France in the Round of 16. Several reports since then claimed that the team captain Lionel Messi is considering his retirement from the international football. Recently the Argentine Interim coach Lionel Scaloni, who replaced, Jorge Sampaoli, had his say on this matter.
Following the defeat, several speculations were made whether or not Messi would retire from the international football again having already returned after hanging up his international kit in June 2016 after failing to win the Copa America final.
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina interim coach) "We don't have the squad list made, not even a small percentage of it. I don't think this is the time to call Messi."
— Barca Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 6, 2018
Scaloni, who was named the interim coach recently ahead of the team's friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia, seems not to be worried about the five times Ballon d'Or winner.
"We do not have the squad list made, not even a small percentage of it. I do not think this is the time to call Lionel (Messi). Once we have to name the squad, we will see what we do. I honestly know him (Messi) well, and I am not worried about having to talk to him."
He said in an interview with Daily Express.
"We want to treat him in a way that he truly knows that there is respect there and that we are most certainly going to treat him as he deserves. That is the most important thing of all."
Argentina will play against Guatemala and Colombia on 7 and 12 September.
