Argentina have made one desperate final attempt to bring Lionel Messi back to international football

Argentina’s campaign for the 2018 World Cup didn’t end well. Actually, they were pretty bad. You can see why a lot of pressure was put on Lionel Messi, especially as he was instrumental in scraping through the qualifying rounds. But it’s no surprise that his international future is still a talking point.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner might be taking a break from international duty to rethink his future, but it would seem that Argentina aren’t allowing any players to take his number 10 shirt in the hope that he returns to the team.

Some people might understand why they want to keep the door open for the Argentine magician, but Sergio Romero doesn’t understand the logic for it.

“The No 10 jersey has always been used,” he told TyC Sports (via Goal).

“I don’t understand why it’s not being used now. I haven’t asked. I haven’t enquired. I had no idea that it wasn’t going to be used.
“In all the friendlies, it has always been available. Probably, for some reason, it will not be used now. I just found out.”
The Manchester United ‘keeper isn’t done there. Nope. He thinks that if a number is vacant – even Messi’s – then anyone in the team should be able to use it.
“If Leo returns, it’s normal that he is the owner of the No.10 and the captain’s armband – no-one on the inside or outside has any doubt about that.
“But if it’s a number that is available for a friendly and Leo is not here, then anyone can use it. We already know that if he is here, it will be his, so then there’s no problem.”