Lionel Messi explains why he has decided not to retire from international football

Lionel Messi has performed a U-turn on his decision to retire from international football and will play for Argentina again.

The Barcelona superstar quit international football following Argentina’s defeat to Chile in this summer’s Copa America final in the United States.

Messi, who missed a penalty in the shoot-out, stood on the MetLife Stadium pitch in tears as the Chileans lifted the trophy. This was Argentina’s third major final defeat in as many years, following the national team’s losses in the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America finals.

“It’s tough, it’s not the time for analysis,” Messi was quoted as saying by theGuardian after the match in East Rutherford. “In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it’s not for me. That’s the way I feel right now, it’s a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important.

“I tried so hard to be [a] champion with Argentina. But it didn’t happen. I couldn’t do it. I think it’s best for everyone, for me and for many people who want it. The choice for me is over, it is a decision. I tried many times [to be a champion] but did not.”

MESSI PERFORMS U-TURN AND EXPLAINS DECISION

Messi, it seemed, has made his decision and there appeared to be no going back.

However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has changed his mind following a meeting with Argentina’s newly-appointed manager Edgardo Bauza on Thursday.

‏@ReutersWorld

BREAKING: Lionel Messi wants to play for Argentina again - local media, quoting his management team

About sure

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.