Argentina’s president Mauricio Macri has personally contacted Lionel Messi to try and persuade the Barcelona star to not quit the national team.
Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in Sunday’s Copa America final, while Messi missed a spot-kick and was in tears at the final whistle.
After the match, the 29-year-old claimed that his international career was over: “In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it’s not for me.
“That’s the way I feel right now, it’s a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important.”
But a spokesman for Argentina’s president told AFP: "He [Macri] called him and told him how proud he feels of the national team's performance and asked him not to listen to the criticism.”
Marci also posted his support for Messi via his official Twitter page.
“I never feel greater pride in our team,” he said.
“I hope the joy of seeing the best in the world will continue for many years more. #NoTeVayasLio.”
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