Hernan Crespo insists disgruntled star Lionel Messi is unfortunate not to have won a major trophy with Argentina.
Messi dropped a bombshell following Argentina's penalty shootout defeat to Chile in last month's Copa America Centenario final by announcing his retirement from international football.
Argentina's all-time top goalscorer, 29, was visibly dejected after missing a spot-kick as he suffered a fourth loss - and third in succession - in a major final with his country.
And former Argentina international Crespo has expressed his sympathy for Messi, but does believe La Albiceleste are on the right track to ending their long wait for silverware.
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"The Argentina national team is very competitive. If you watch the last three tournaments - two Copa America finals and one World Cup final - you are competitive, you arrive in the final of great events," Crespo told reporters via Marca on Saturday.
"I hope to see our national team win but I don't want to say that Messi was at fault, it's not good. Messi played very well. He is the top scorer of the national team. He is the best player in the world. It's unlucky.
"But it's not about Messi. It's about the last 23 years the national team never won [a major trophy]. Yes they won the Olympic games [in 2004 and 2008] but, at the same time, we have lost a lot of finals. However, we are still competitive.
"This is just the way. I think maybe next time we will win."
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- Goal