Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Julio Grondona has warned that Lionel Messi could retire from international football if he continues to face harsh criticism from fans and the country’s media, according to www.espn.co.uk.
The star footballer has come under pressure for his below-par show in the initial group games at the Copa America before helping Argentina blank out Costa Rica.
But Grondona hit out at fans and the media for expecting Messi to put on the kind of stellar performances that he regularly gives for Barcelona.
“The solution would be for Messi to say: ‘I’ll not come anymore, I’ll stay in Spain’,” said Grondona.
“Messi followed his path, found a place - Barcelona - and they took care of him as if he was born there.
“Despite this, he said no to Spain because he wanted to play for Argentina.”
The Barcelona superstar, however, has said that he is not worried about what the media says, although he finds it difficult to put up with the insults on the field.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2011.
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