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Argentina's Veron says he's done after World Cup

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Argentine playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron, who guided Estudiantes de La Plata to Copa Libertadores glory last season, says he will retire from the national team after next summer's World Cup.

"If God wants, after the World Cup I will retire from the national team," Veron said, after being asked whether he will take part in the 2011 Copa America.

In respect to Argentina's World Cup qualifying campaign, Veron explained, "This process was irregular from the start, not only for us but for everyone else too."

"If one takes a look, Paraguay seemed to be qualified and now they are only two points ahead of us," Veron told the official Web site of CONMEBOL. "Chile started badly and now they are with one foot in. There are lots of teams separated by few points. First we have to qualify for the World Cup, but it won't be easy."

Veron also commented about his Argentina teammate Lionel Messi, saying that having him on their side "is an advantage, but we have to know how to take advantage of it."

"Lionel doesn't play by himself and we have to help him by moving around him so he doesn't carry the whole load," he said. "For me he is the best Argentine player, without any doubts."

Finally, he stated that his objective is to win the World Cup with Argentina in South Africa, and that he will hope to be celebrating next July.

"I hope to have won something. Maybe something, maybe everything or maybe nothing. We have to keep on working in order to do things well."