Lionel Messi international retirement talk deepens as boss Scaloni urges fans to ‘enjoy him now’

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is urging fans to ‘enjoy’ Lionel Messi now as he responded to claims that the forward may retire from international football after the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

It will be the PSG forward’s fifth time heading off to the prestigious tournament, but he has previously hinted it could potentially be his last. 

The former Barcelona star has never won the World Cup, but he did lead his nation to the final in 2014, where they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Germany.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has responded to claims that Lionel Messi may retire

PSG forward Messi will consider his international future after the 2022 Qatar World Cup

Messi has endured a frustrating international career, but did manage to break his trophy drought, as Argentina won the Copa America last summer by beating Brazil 1-0.

The 34-year-old has already retired once from international duty back in 2016, but quickly returned a month later, although the tournament in Qatar could be the leading goalscorers last time pulling on his country’s shirt as he considers his future.

‘I don’t know what I will do after the World Cup. I am thinking about what is coming,’ Messi said. ‘After Qatar I will have to reassess many things.’  

Messi won the Copa America with Argentina to end his international trophy drought

Messi, who turns 35 in June, said: ‘I don’t know, the truth is I don’t know. I think about what is coming, which is close, Ecuador (on Tuesday). The preparation matches in June and September.’

‘Let’s hope these go the best way possible. But for sure after the World Cup many things will change.’

Messi has made 159 caps for Argentina and scored 81 times since his international debut back in 2005.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has responded to claims that Messi is set to retire from international by sidestepping the question ahead of their clash with Ecuador on Tuesday night.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni (left) has responded to claims that Messi (right) is set to retire

‘After playing in a World Cup, everyone makes assessments. I’m not in the heads of the players to know what they’re thinking. 

‘In any case, you have to enjoy it. You don’t have to think about the future, enjoy their spectacular present,’ Scaloni said.

‘Sometimes, because that’s life, one gets old and I think that’s normal. But why not think about the spectacular here and now? Why not enjoy him now? It’s useless thinking about what is going to happen after the World Cup.’

Messi is not the only Argentine that has hinted at international retirement, as Angel Di Maria revealed that he has already played his last game for his country on home soil, as he netted in their 3-0 win over Venezuela in World Cup qualifying on Friday.

Angel Di Maria revealed that he has played his last game for his country on home soil

The winger took to Instagram to praise his team-mates for their ‘perfect’ performance

Boss Scaloni insisted he wasn’t aware of any such decision from the PSG midfielder to retire.

‘I didn’t see the post but I understood it as being about this team, I would imagine. I spoke with him some time ago. 

‘There is an age for everyone. Many trips have passed and many matches, which I imagine is difficult,’ Scaloni said.

‘I don’t know what’s going on in his head. If it was his last home game, it could not have gone any better – it was as though he dreamed it. 

‘But first let us play these games, then the World Cup, and then we’ll see. For now, let’s enjoy it.’