LONDON – Lionel Messi could retire from international football if Argentinacrash out of the World Cup, according to his former team-mate PabloZabaleta.
Messi cut an isolated figure as Argentina fell to a humbling 3-0 defeat toCroatia in their Group D clash on Thursday, making a premature exit adistinct possibility for the two-time champions.
Zabaleta, who was part of the team that reached the 2014 final, believesthe Barcelona star could call time on his international career should theyfail to progress to the last 16.
“I just feel so sorry for Lionel Messi,” he told the BBC.
“This was his last chance to win something with Argentina so I wouldn’t besurprised to see him retire from international football after this.
“He’ll be so disappointed and it’s another four years until Qatar.”
Argentina capitulated after Willy Caballero’s blunder allowed Ante Rebic toopen the scoring in the 53rd minute, with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakiticadding goals late on.
Zabaleta was at a loss to explain the performance and has warned theplayers that supporters will not tolerate such a limp surrender.
He added: “The people in Argentina will be so angry now. You expect morefrom those players.