The temporary head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has declined to comment on whether the team's key player will remain in the foldInterim boss Lionel Scaloni has refused to be dragged on the future of the nation’s talisman
Lionel Scaloni, currently serving as Argentina's interim manager, refused to speculate on Messi's long-term commitment to the national team.
The world's best player, a five-time award winner, has been left out of the squad for the friendly matches taking place next month.
According to sources in Barcelona, Messi requested to skip the final four international friendlies of the calendar year, starting with the September trip to the States to play Guatemala and Colombia.
Scaloni acknowledged that he and Messi have discussed the matter, though he offered no clear indication of what the outcome will be.
\"I based my team selection on a talk I had with Messi,\" noted Scaloni, who stepped in to replace Jorge Sampaoli after Argentina's frustrating Round of 16 World Cup defeat to France.
\"Our conversation didn't cover what happens next. We are fully aware of Messi's importance to the nation, and we will see how things unfold.\"
At 31, Messi has previously walked away from international duty following a missed penalty in the 2016 Copa America final, where Argentina lost to Chile in a shootout for the second year in a row.
That period of retirement was short-lived, lasting only a month before Messi rejoined the squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.