Argentina Football Association chief Claudio Tapia has said they will give Lionel Messi time to rethink his association with the national team.
The Argentine took an indefinite leave from the South American giants and was not included in Argentina team to face Guatemala in an international friendly in Los Angeles.
“We have to leave Messi alone, give him the opportunity to feel the need or the eagerness to come to the national team. Instead of taking advantage of having the best player in the world and allowing him to enjoy the World Cup, we made him responsible for something that is a collective game. You can have an important individual talent but one person doesn’t win a game or a World Cup.” Tapaia said.
“We had a lot of expectations and it was a very important opportunity because it was the last for many players of this generation. We didn’t arrive at the World Cup in the best way. We will listen to everyone. We have the opportunity not to rush, it’s a 10-year project and we have to take the best decision. We have not spoken to any coach yet, the only one that we did talk to was Scaloni and he said yes.” Tapia added.
Messi captained Argentina in the World Cup but the Sampaoli managed team could only manage one win on their way to a first knock out round elimination by eventual winners France.