- The new coach of the Albiceleste travelled to Barcelona this week to persuade his captain to renege on his retirement plans.
Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza has expressed his confidence that a bid to woo Leo Messi back into the international fold has been successful and the Barcelona star is expected to be named in the Albiceleste squad on Friday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Messi "very enthusiastic"
Bauza had travelled to Barcelona earlier this week to persuade his captain to change his mind about retiring from international football – a decision that was taken immediately after Argentina had been defeated on penalties by Chile in the final of the Copa América Centenario. The Argentina coach said he optimistic about Messi making himself available and that the player seemed to be “very enthusiastic.”
“Leo looks to me to be up for it, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I’ll speak to his this afternoon [Friday] on the phone and then complete the squad list,” Bauza said on his arrival at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza airport. He added that he was in “no doubt that Messi wants to come back.”
Argentina play Uruguay on September 1 and Venezuela on September 6 in qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup.
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