Lionel Messi Argentina World Cup

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has this afternoon provided an update on Lionel Messi’s international future.

Argentine legend

Messi, Argentina’s all-team leading goalscorer, has appeared for his country on 128 occasions, the latest of which came during last summer’s World Cup.

The Albiceleste fell to a 4-3 defeat to eventual champions France in the tournament’s last-16 in Russia, with the Barcelona talisman having since made himself unavailable for selection.

However, to this point, Messi has not actually confirmed his retirement from international football, leading to suggestions that the 31-year-old could yet pull on the blue and white of the Albiceleste in the future.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between France and Argentina at Kazan Arena on June 30, 2018 in Kazan, Russia.

‘Have a good feeling’

The draw for this summer’s Copa America, meanwhile, was held last night, with Argentina having been pitted against Colombia, Paraguay and guests Qatar in Group B:

As such, speaking in a press conference following confirmation of his side’s draw, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni was unsurprisingly questioned on namesake Messi’s availability for the tournament.

And Scaloni subsequently went on to confirm that the AFA will make fresh contact with Messi ahead of the country’s friendly clash with Venezuela in March, before revealing that he has a ‘good feeling’ regarding the chances of the veteran making a return to the international fold:

‘We will speak with Leo in the days before the March list. When the time is right we will speak.’

‘I hope he can be here but more than that, we want him to be happy. I have a good feeling.’

Brazil boss Tite, meanwhile, also revealed his hope that Messi will feature at this summer’s Copa America:

‘I want Messi and all the best athletes to come to Brazil.’

‘A team, to be the best, have to win with competition and overcome high-level opponents. Which is why we expect Neymar, Messi, [Alexis] Sanchez and [Luis] Suarez to come… And also [Paolo] Guerrero.’

Quotes via Goal.com

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