Lionel Messi’s relationship with the Argentine national side has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride in recent years.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has achieved everything in football. Everything but a major trophy with his national side.
It’s something that Messi is desperate to achieve but time is running out.
He came close in 2014, with La Albiceleste losing to Germany in extra-time in the World Cup final.
Then, two years later, Messi suffered a career low.
He missed a penalty in the Copa America final loss to Chile and walked off the pitch in tears, announcing his retirement from international football.
He did return two months later but Argentina crashed out of the 2018 World Cup at the last-16 stage, losing 4-3 to France.
Nine months on, Messi is back playing for his national side ahead of this summer’s Copa America.
But despite being one of the greatest players in the world, Messi has been criticised for taken a nine-month absence before his latest return just before Copa America.
And Messi has now responded.
“It became customary to say things about me,” Messi said in an interview with Argentine radio Radio 94.7 Club Octubre, per Marca.
“A lot of lies and invented things, it makes me angry because people believe it.”
And Messi claims that even his son is aware of some of the criticism he’s received from media in Argentina.
“My son asked me ‘why do they kill you in Argentina?’” Messi added.
Not only was Messi criticised for his nine-month absence – and for choosing to sit out of Argentina’s latest friendly against Morocco – but he’s also been questioned for not showing his best form for his national side.
65 goals in 129 appearances isn’t a bad effort mind…
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