LONDON – Carlos Tevez has told Lionel Messi not to retire frominternational football following Argentina’s chaotic World Cup in Russia.
It was a forgettable campaign for Messi and Argentina, who were eliminatedby eventual champions France in the last 16 at Russia 2018 as JorgeSampaoli later departed.
Argentina’s tournament was marred by reports of unrest following a 3-0group-stage defeat to Croatia after a 1-1 draw with Iceland left the SouthAmerican giants on the brink of a humiliating exit.
Messi – still searching for his first senior international title – andArgentina managed to sneak into the knockout phase thanks to a last-gaspwin over Nigeria but the team’s shortcomings were exposed against France.
The international future of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is uncertainafter the 31-year-old retired briefly following Argentina’s Copa Americafinal loss to Chile in 2016.
Tevez urged Argentina to do more to ensure the country’s all-time leadinggoalscorer can succeed on the world stage.
“I think Leo has to think about himself,” Tevez – a 76-time Argentinainternational – told ESPN. “He has to think that, if there is not a projectthat makes him happy and in which he feels comfortable, it is verydifficult to take the responsibility of leading Argentina to becomechampions by himself.
“We are wasting a lot of time not having him happy and not being able togive him a hand to achieve that target. I think we are wrong in not beingable to help him feel comfortable.
“As a player and as an Argentine I tell him that we need him, that he triesto rest, that he keeps a cool head and that we need him. We need himbecause he is the soul of Argentina and, as long as he continues playingfootball, it has to be that way because he is Argentina’s biggest idol andhe has to take that responsibility.
“Now [I tell him] to rest, keep a cool head and try to be well, then weneed him to take charge and on the pitch.”
In the meantime, the focus is on Argentina replacing former head coachSampaoli.