Retirement: How I convinced Messi to return to play for Argentina - Scaloni
Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni, has revealed his tactics in convincing football icon Lionel Messi to return to the national team for a farewell match after the player's retirement announcement following the FIFA World Cup final. Messi had withdrawn from international football following Argentina's loss to Spain in the World Cup, which deeply affected him, as he was also grieving the passing of his father at the time. In an exclusive interview with journalists, Scaloni discussed his efforts to persuade Messi to reconsider his decision. "I think a player of Messi's stature deserves this," he said. "Persuading him was not an easy task, but we knew everything he was going through at the time. We pushed for him to be part of the team for this special occasion." The Argentina Football Association (AFA) and its president also played a crucial role in convincing Messi to return to the national team. "The AFA and its president fulfilled their responsibilities," Scaloni added. The farewell match will take place following Argentina's upcoming friendly match against Venezuela on March 27th. "We hope to honor Messi with a memorable match," said Scaloni, expressing his anticipation for the event. The decision to invite Messi for the special occasion is a testament to the immense impact he has had on the team and the sport of football. Messi's return to the national team is a significant move for Argentina, as the player's talent and influence on the team cannot be underestimated. With Messi's return, the Argentine national team is set to face Venezuela in a friendly match on March 27th, followed by a farewell match against Chile on March 29th. The decision to include Messi in the team's upcoming matches is a testament to the immense impact he has had on the team and the sport of football. The upcoming matches will undoubtedly be a significant event for Argentina, as Messi's talent and influence on the team cannot be underestimated. The nation and the football community are eagerly awaiting the matches, which will provide a fitting tribute to the legendary player.<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
