The head coach of Argentina has responded to concerns that Lionel Messi could retire after this winter's World Cup in Qatar.
It will be the fifth time Messi has represented his country at the world's most prestigious football tournament, though the superstar has hinted it could be the last. Messi has never won the World Cup, though he did lead Argentina to the final in 2014 where they lost to Germany.
He has endured a frustrating international career, but did end his long wait for a trophy on that stage by winning the Copa America last summer. Messi has already retired once from internationals, with a run of three successive defeats in finals leading him to call time on his Argentina career in 2016.
Within a month, he had reversed that decision, after a public campaign from supporters across Argentina. Having finally broken his international trophy drought last summer, he will be looking to win his second successive tournament in Qatar.
But that could be the last time that he is seen pulling on the blue and white shirt of his country. He hinted last week that he will take time to consider his future on the international stage following the World Cup.
"I can only think about what's coming next, I only think about facing Ecuador. After the World Cup, I will have to rethink many things," he said. Messi led a lap of honour after Argentina's commanding win over Venezuela in their penultimate World Cup qualifer, in which he scored his side's third goal.
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If he does retire, that could be the 34-year-old's final match on Argentine soil. He has once again starred in their run to securing qualification for Qatar, scoring five goals to help the secure second place in the South American group stage.
They still have one more match to play, against Ecuador on Wednesday. And ahead of that game Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni sidestepped discussion of Messi's retirement and insisted fans should merely enjoy watching him while they still can.
“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 one considering retirement, with Angel Di Maria also revealing he is likely to play his final Argentina game in Qatar. But Scaloni insisted that he was not aware of any plans of that nature from the midfielder.
"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."
