Maradona: Messi’s Argentina retirement was stage
Posted Friday, August 26, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com
Former Argentina international Diego Maradona has called out compatriot Lionel Messi for staging his international retirement to detract from the team's failures.
The Barcelona star announced that he was quitting international football after losing his third final in as many years while wearing the famous white and light blue stripes of his country.
But the 29-year-old has now gone back on that decision and looks set to feature under new manager Edgardo Bauza, prompting the former Argetina boss and Napoli playmaker to cry foul.
"[Messi] escaped the criticism but the Argentines suffered," Maradona told TyC Sports. "Maybe his retirement was staged to make us forget about the three final losses."
Argentina begin their quest for World Cup qualification against Uruguay next month, hopefully with Rosario-born star in the ranks.
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