Report: Messi rethinks Argentina retirement, to return in November
Your teams. Your favorite writers. Wherever you want them. Personalize SI with our new App. Install on iOS or Android.
Lionel Messi has changed his mind about international retirement, La Nacionreports.
Messi told reporters after Argentina's loss to Chile in the Copa America that the national team is not for him and that he was done playing for the Albiceleste, seemingly calling a close to his international career. The new report indicates that he now plans to rejoin the Albiceleste in November for World Cup qualifiers, suggesting he will miss their matches in September.
Messi missed his penalty kick in the shootout loss to Chile, and Argentina fell to a defeat in a final for a third straight summer after the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America. It was the fourth final loss of Messi's Argentina career. Chile prevailed 4-2 in the shootout after a 0-0 draw.
If done, Messi, 29, would retire as his nation's all-time leading scorer, setting the new standard against the USAwith his 55th career international goal.
