Argentina (National Football)

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has said he's not spoken to Lionel Messi "for a while." 

The Barcelona forward has not featured for his country since the 2018 FIFA World Cup when they were beaten 4-3 in the last 16 by eventual winners France. His absence has sparked some speculation that his international career may be over.

Scaloni had previously said he was hopeful Messi would be part of the Albiceleste squad for the upcoming international break in March, although his most recent update doesn't appear to indicate much progress has been made, per Dejan Kalinic of Goal.

"I have not talked to Messi for a while now," he said. "He has a match in a few days, and we'll see if he can play."

The Barcelona star picked up a knock in the 2-2 draw with Valencia in La Liga on Saturday, meaning he's a doubt for Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final showdown with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.

In 2016, after the Albiceleste lost their third major final in as many summers, Messi announced he would be retiring from international duty. However, he returned to help the team qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

That tournament was a struggle for Argentina, as the team scraped into the knockout stages thanks to a victory over Nigeria. Messi scored a stunning opener in the 2-1 win, although their campaign was eventually ended by the French.

Since Russia, the Argentina team has undergone a transformation, with Scaloni stepping in to replace Jorge Sampaoli. Per Ed Malyon of The Independent, some big names are on course to join the coaching setup:

Roberto Ayala set to join the Argentina set-up. Lionel Scaloni currently in charge of senior team, Walter Samuel in there too.

— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) January 10, 2019

While the team are seeking to build for the future, if Messi was introduced back into the fold that would be a huge boost for the Albiceleste.

Once again, he is enjoying a tremendous campaign for Barcelona, helping them to the top of La Liga, into the Copa semis and also into the UEFA Champions League last 16. BBC Sport's Andy West put Messi's goalscoring feats into context:

Since Lionel Messi last started a game of football without scoring or assisting...
Autumn, Halloween, Christmas and New Year have been and gone.
22 countries have new political leaders.
LA Rams have gone from 1-0 to the Superbowl.
Roughly 50 million people have been born.

— Andy West (@andywest01) February 3, 2019

In the past Argentina's shortcomings have been blamed on Messi, who has scored 65 times in 128 appearances for his country. However, so often the 31-year-old has hauled the team to finals and flourished in spite of the dysfunctional setup around him.

For now it appears as though Messi's focus is on Barcelona, as they chase a trio of trophies in 2019. Scaloni will be keen to get clarification on the player's international intentions, though, especially as preparations begin to intensify for this summer's Copa America in Brazil.

Lionel Messi will return to the Argentina national team for friendlies against Venezuela and Czech Republic in March, ESPN Argentina reported. 

Messi has taken a break from international duty following the 2018 World Cup. Despite his best efforts in the tournament, Argentina lost 4-3 to France in the round of 16 after collecting just four points in the group stage.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner previously retired from the national team in June 2016 after La Albiceleste lost in a penalty shootout to Chile in the Copa America final for the second year in a row. He was back less than two months later.

Messi's relationship with Argentina and its supporters has been fraught at times.

Despite everything he has achieved at Barcelona, the 31-year-old has yet to escape the shadow of Diego Maradona in his home country. He has also had to shoulder the burden of expectation and often receives plenty of blame—often unfairly—for Argentina's recent failures to bring home either a Copa America or World Cup title.

In addition that pressure, Messi and his teammates have had to grapple with the general dysfunction behind the scenes within the Argentine Football Association.

The timing of Messi's return will allow Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni plenty of time to adjust his tactics ahead of the 2019 Copa America. Messi can help Argentina in its qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup as well, assuming he remains committed to the national team.

A seven-year-old Afghan boy, who met soccer idol Lionel Messi after going viral in 2016, was recently forced to flee his home with his family due to attacks by the Taliban.

According to Usman Sharifi of AFP News (h/t Yahoo Sports), Murtaza Ahmadi and his family fled from southeastern Ghazni province to Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul.

Ahmadi became well-known in internet circles when photos circulated of him wearing a homemade Messi Argentina jersey fashioned out of a plastic bag two years ago.

That led to Ahmadi meeting the Barcelona star and accompanying him onto the pitch for a friendly match in Qatar. He was also gifted an autographed jersey and soccer ball by Messi.

Ahmadi's mother, Shafiqa, said she has been told the Taliban is specifically targeting her son due to the fame he enjoyed: "[They] said if they capture him, they will cut him into pieces."

Ahmadi and his family had to leave all of their belongings upon fleeing, including the signed jersey and ball.

When asked about the items and Messi, Ahmadi said, "I want them back so I can play. I miss Messi."

Ahmadi also expressed hope that he will meet Messi again one day: "When I meet him, I will say, 'Salaam' [a common greeting in Arabic] and 'How are you?' Then he will reply saying, 'Thank you and be safe,' and I will go with him to the pitch, where he will play and I will watch him."

Shafiqa told Sharifi that returning home is no longer an option for the family due to her son's celebrity and the constant threat of the Taliban. 

Argentina will reportedly have to wait until 2019 for attacking talisman Lionel Messi to return to international football. The Barcelona forward will next play for his country in March, according to Hernan Castillo of TNT Sports (h/t Roy Nemer of Mundo Albiceleste).

Messi missed Argentina's 2-0 win over Mexico on Tuesday as he continued to consider his international future. He hasn't featured since his nation crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer.

Messi has been excused from several international squads since eventual winners France beat La Albiceleste in the Round of 16 in Russia. He missed the 4-0 win over Iraq and 1-0 defeat against Brazil in October before he sat out this month's doubleheader against El Tri.

Winning three of their last four matches without Messi proves Argentina can cope without the gifted 31-year-old. Part of the reason is the depth of quality in Lionel Scaloni's squad, particularly in attacking areas.

Scaloni can call on a host of talented forwards, including Serie A duo Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala. Inter Milan striker Icardi and Juve forward Dybala were both on the scoresheet on Wednesday.

Icardi spoke afterward about his desire to see Messi return despite his benefiting from the latter's absence, per ESPN.com: "[Messi] is the best in the world. That is what every team wants, to have a player such as him. I hope that in the upcoming year he can be with us ahead of the Copa America."

Dybala previously echoed Icardi's sentiments about Barca's record goalscorer, per Sky Italia (h/t Football Italia): "We all want Messi back in the national team. We all know the importance of Leo for us, but it's up to him."

Finding ways to put Messi into the same forward line as Dybala and Iacardi is an obvious challenge for Scaloni. He also has to be mindful of giving playing time to Manchester City No. 10 Sergio Aguero and Juve loanee Gonzalo Higuain.

While there's no shortage of match-winners, most would agree Messi makes his nation tick. He is at once the chief goal-getter and creative fulcrum of the side.

His influence and inspiration will be vital to Argentina's chances of winning next year's Copa America.

Still, while Messi defines his national team, some may wonder if it's time for younger players such as Dybala and Icardi to be given more chances to lead the way and emerge from his shadow.

Argentina general manager Jorge Burruchaga believes Barcelona icon Lionel Messi will return to the national team, despite not being named in any squads since the disappointment of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Messi scored one goal in Argentina's four matches before they bowed out to eventual winners France in the round of 16. He's yet to return to the fold, but Burruchaga told Goal's Naim Beneddra a comeback is inevitable: 

"No date is scheduled right now for the return of Messi, and he will not be back before the end of the year.

"But it's impossible that he will not be in the national team again. This is transitory. 

"I'm sure that next year, he will be in the Argentine national team again."

Messi will not feature in La Albiceleste's upcoming back-to-back friendlies against Mexico after he was omitted from interim coach Lionel Scaloni's squad for the third announcement in a row.

Burruchaga is famous for scoring the 83rd-minute winner in Argentina's 3-2 victory over West Germany in the 1986 FIFA World Cup final.

The 4-3 defeat to France in June was Messi's 128th cap for his country, having debuted in 2005 at 18 years of age. In 13 years of service, he's averaged a little less than 10 international appearances per year, which isn't bad going for one who plays to his level so consistently.

But it's likely the mental toll that's worn the 31-year-old most. He briefly retired from national-team service in the summer of 2016, having at the time just lost a third major international final in a row at that year's Copa America.

Author Andy West spoke about the maestro's sense of responsibility and how it can actually work against him in his new book, Lionel Messi and the Art of Living:

Because of his belief in his abilities and his determination to succeed, Messi sometimes takes on too much responsibility. He feels compelled to go beyond the limits of what he can realistically achieve...for example, with Argentina in the 2018 World Cup Finals.

— Andy West (@andywest01) November 9, 2018

In the absence of Messi—Argentina's all-time record scorer with 65 goals—Scaloni has refreshed the squad with some new faces and a generally younger feel. Thirteen of his 27-man squad are 25 or under, while only three players are 30 or over (two of whom are goalkeepers).

It's seldom a question of quality in regards to Messi and his international involvement, considering he continues to demonstrate top form in La Liga. Such as in the recent 4-3 defeat to Real Betis, where he scored twice and crafted another goal in his return from injury:

That pass from Messi, though... 🤯🤤 pic.twitter.com/4eDYHoWX09

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) November 14, 2018

Argentina legend Diego Maradona also rallied behind Messi returning to the national team in future. When asked by Marca's Juan Castro if he thought La Albiceleste's most treasured star would return, he said: "I think so. We will see because if not then we are in trouble as we haven't anyone that can hit a wall."

Messi's greatest exploits have all come at club level for the Blaugrana, and the veteran is closing in on a remarkable one-club record, which is further motivation for him to perhaps shun international loyalties:

Only one player has scored more goals for a single club than Leo Messi 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kvYHiBoxeg

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 13, 2018

Messi has played under nine Argentina managers since earning his debut under Jose Pekerman 13 years ago.

The national team have gone unbeaten in three of their four matches since his post-World Cup hiatus began, but Burruchaga is sure to be one of many hoping 2019 will bring about his return to the Argentina fold.

Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi has urged Barcelona star Lionel Messi to make himself available for the Argentina national team again. 

Per Sport's Albert Escandell, the Inter man said they need him back on the team for next year's Copa America: "Messi has to return to the national team. In 2019 we have the Copa America."

According to TNT Sports (h/t Mundo Deportivo, via Alex Smith of the Mirror), Messi has decided not to play for Argentina again in 2018 and is yet to make a decision on whether he'll return.

In his absence, several key figures in the national team setup have called on the Barcelona star to return. Interim manager Lionel Scaloni has even told reporters the No. 10 shirt will remain his, with no other player set to wear it, per Goal's Sacha Pisani.

In his absence, the likes of Icardi and Juventus' Paulo Dybala are expected to step up. Both displayed excellent form in the UEFA Champions League this week, highlighting the tremendous depth of the Albiceleste:

Lionel Messi, Mauro Icardi, Erik Lamela and Angel Di Maria all scoring today in the Champions League. Paulo Dybala scored 3 yesterday and Aguero scored for City too. Insane Argentina depth in attack by some big names.

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) October 3, 2018

There's little doubt Argentina would much rather have Messi back in the fold, however. The 31-year-old remains one of the most uniquely gifted players in the world and once again showed it on Wednesday.

He guided Barcelona to a 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium and drew nearly universal praise for his performance, which included two goals:

Anyone who scored Messi anything less than 10 out of 10 last night is insulting him. We are in the presence of greatness.

— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) October 4, 2018

But for all of his greatness and success at the club level, Messi has found nothing but heartbreak with the national team. Things were no different in the summer, as Argentina fell well short of the expectations at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Albiceleste barely survived the group stages and were bounced by eventual winners France. Reports Messi could walk away surfaced later in the summer, although many thought he used the threat to force some change in the Argentinian federation:

Messi doesn't want to stop playing for Argentina but he'd be reluctant to put himself through the shambles of Russia WC again. Leaving the threat of retirement dangling will hopefully be enough to motivate AFA into making some good decisions for a change.

— Andy West (@andywest01) August 14, 2018

Icardi failed to make the World Cup squad but has started the 2018-19 campaign in excellent form for Inter. He, Dybala, Giovanni Simeone and Lautaro Martinez represent the next wave of stars who could finally help Messi win a major international trophy.

Argentina legend Diego Maradona believes Lionel Messi should retire from international duty because of the responsibility placed on him when the national team fail to win.

Messi has not featured for La Albiceleste since Argentina crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the round of 16, and Maradona feels he should spare himself the hassle of returning.

He told Mariano Verrina of Argentinian newspaper Clarin (h/t Goal's Daniel Edwards):

"What would I tell Messi? To not come back any more. To retire.

"The under-15s lose and it is Messi's fault, the fixture list in Argentina puts Racing against Boca and Messi is to blame. He is always to blame. Stop breaking my balls. 

"I would tell him: 'don't go anymore, man'. Let's see if they can handle that. Let's see if they're really big men."

Messi played a key role in helping Argentina reach the 2014 World Cup final and the CopaAmerica final in 2015 and 2016, but he has not won anything with the national side since claiming an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

Despite almost singlehandedly dragging the team to the 2018 World Cup on top of that, the forward still seems to bear responsibility for Argentina's collective struggles in recent years in the eyes of many, particularly in his home country.

Maradona believes criticism of Messi is unfair in this regard:

"I would have liked to see him tell us all to f--k off. Because he is not to blame for us not being world champions. Fine, we all placed our hopes in him, but when you go to the racetrack you hope your horse wins and he comes in eighth. 

"In Formula One [Sebastian] Vettel has a great engine and [Lewis] Hamilton beats him. Right now the national team doesn't do anything for me or for the people. We have lost that. The passion. It cannot play against Nicaragua or Malta, no, brother. We are throwing all the prestige we earned down the toilet."

Messi briefly retired from international duty in the aftermath of Argentina's penalty defeat to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final, but he reversed his decision soon after.

Despite Argentina reaching three finals in consecutive years, that did little but paper over some large cracks as the team underwent a succession of coaches and the Argentinian Football Association saw several presidents come and go.

He is yet to speak about his Argentina future after the World Cup, and caretaker boss Lionel Scaloni was unsure on the matter ahead of the last international break:

Will Lionel Messi play for Argentina again?

Caretaker manager Lionel Scaloni is not sure. pic.twitter.com/qf3QZjiEL4

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 22, 2018

In the upcoming break this month, Messi has been left out again as Argentina face Iraq and Brazil. As both matches are friendlies, Messi skipping them may not necessarily indicate anything one way or another in relation to his future.

If Messi does return to international duty next year, La Albiceleste must concentrate their efforts on giving him a platform from which he can succeed, by getting the best out of the team-mates who have struggled to perform in an Argentina shirt.

Lionel Messi will again be absent from Argentina's squad when they travel to Saudi Arabia next month to take on Iraq and Brazil in two friendly matches. 

The Barcelona superstar missed La Albiceleste's clashes with Guatemala and Colombia earlier this month, and interim coach Lionel Scaloni has now confirmed Messi's hiatus will continue, per Fox Sports (h/t Dejan Kalinic of Goal):

"I talked to him and we still think that the best thing is that he doesn't come, that he's not in. We are in a different stage and these guys have to keep putting on the shirt of the national team and see what they show, which is the most important thing."

Messi, 31, has not turned out for his national team since their 4-3 defeat at the hands of France in the first knockout round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

His continued absence from the Argentina squad will likely cause further speculation that he may be preparing to depart the international stage altogether.

Messi retired from Argentina duty once before in the wake of their defeat to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final.

However, he reversed his decision two months later and subsequently played a key role in Argentina qualifying for Russia 2018.

Unlike in his club career, where the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has enjoyed unprecedented amounts of success, his international career has largely been one of disappointment.

A decade ago Messi was part of the Argentina squad that won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

But he has also been involved in four major final defeats, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup final loss to Germany.

And Argentina, despite a remarkable amount of attacking talent, actually look to be on the decline at present.

They scraped out of the group at the 2018 World Cup and were deservedly beaten by eventual champions France.

The next major tournament on the horizon for Argentina is the 2019 Copa America in Brazil, which could mark Messi's last chance to win a major trophy with his country unless he decides to quit the international game. 

Colombia and Argentina played to a scoreless draw in a friendly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday night. 

The tie ensured both Colombia and Argentina maintained unblemished records during their respective pairs of international exhibitions in September. 

As was the case in Friday's 3-0 win over Guatemala, interim manager Lionel Scaloni rolled out a relatively inexperienced side with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain all absent: 

#SelecciónMayor ¡Así formará @Argentina! Estos son los 11 jugadores elegidos por @lioscaloni para enfrentar a @FCFSeleccionCol. pic.twitter.com/G8XDBZbm13

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) September 11, 2018

Conversely, Colombia's starting XI featured mainstays like Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado up front. 

However, it was Argentina that looked like the crisper, more cohesive side in the early going. Scaloni's attack moved swiftly through the midfield to set up potential goal-scoring opportunities, and it finished the first half with a 5-1 edge in shots on goal. 

Argentina shooting from distance, moving the ball quickly and pressuring. Great to watch.

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 12, 2018

That's as good as things would get, though. 

Colombia's defense hunkered down and didn't allow a shot on goal over the final 45 minutes, and Los Cafeteros showed marked improvement dictating pace and controlling possession. 

Argentina, though, remained stout on the back end and—save for a small lapse or two—did not give Colombian forwards the requisite space necessary to generate adequate offensive momentum. 

As a result, Colombia finished the evening with two shots on goal as Argentina allowed a grand total of four over its two friendlies. 

Argentina will reconvene for a friendly against Brazil on Tuesday, Oct. 16, as the two South American powers  continue to prepare for next year's Copa America.

Colombia, meanwhile, is slated to return to the pitch five days earlier for a tilt versus the United States men's national team at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. 

Argentina interim national team manager Lionel Scaloni has told reporters he maintains hope Lionel Messi will return to the team soon, saying the No. 10 shirt is reserved for the Barcelona star.

Per Goal's Sacha Pisani, he was asked about Messi and the shirt during a press conference ahead of the match against Colombia and said:

"There is only one answer for your question: Every player who was in the World Cup kept his number, the ones who came here.

"In this time, the 10 shirt belongs to Messi, and it will stay this way until he decides if he will continue with us or not.

"We aren't closed to that chance so I chose to keep this number for him. In the future we will see, but if you look at the players who played the World Cup you will see they kept their numbers, and we wait for the future to see what happens, but so far no one is using the 10 because it is exclusive for him and that is my decision. There is nothing else about this."

Per TNT Sports, via Mundo Deportivo (h/t Alex Smith of the Mirror), Messi opted to step away from the national team in August. His plan was to see how the side develops over the rest of the year before making a final decision on his international future.

The 31-year-old once again endured heartbreak with the Albiceleste at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as Argentina disappointed before being knocked out by eventual champions France in the last 16. He hasn't tasted success with the team since the 2008 Olympics. 

Argentina were a mess toward the end of Jorge Sampaoli's tenure as manager, so it's easy to see why Messi will wait things out for now. The signs have been good so far under caretaker manager Scaloni, who kicked things off with a 3-0 win over Guatemala. 

Despite the absence of Messi, Scaloni will have plenty of attacking firepower for the friendly against Colombia, as shared by football writer Peter Coates:

Lionel Scaloni taking training today and according to @TyCSports, @Argentina will probably line up like this against Colombia on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/uHJ2olMrBN

— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) September 9, 2018

Messi's absence could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, providing the forward eventually returns. While he's waiting things out, the likes of Mauro Icardi, Giovanni Simeone, Paulo Dybala and even Lautaro Martinez will have a lot of opportunities to impress, adding to the major talent pool Scaloni gets to choose from.

The 40-year-old didn't end his playing days until 2015 and has limited experience as a manager. Before becoming the interim boss, he had only worked as an assistant.

Colombia and Argentina will meet on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.