Looking at Lionel Messi's statement from last Sunday in which he confirmed leaving the Argentina National team after the Copa America defeat, one can only think that Diego Maradona wasn't wrong by saying Leo lacks leadership. After the announcement, Argentina legend Mario Kempes spoke to ESPN and said that giving up in this exact moment is the least recommended thing to do for the Barcelona star. Kempes said that if it was him, he would keep trying until he can't give a single more breath.
A few days later, Kempes spoke to Cadena Cope after things have cooled down a little bit. He said: "Argentina did not have a bad tournament, but yes they did play badly in the final. We have made four finals and things are not bad. I hope in Russia [at the 2018 World Cup] a lot of the same players are there. They deserve to retire with a triumph. Messi will come back to the national team, it was just a blow-up. He will reflect and will make the World Cup in Russia with a good age.
Kempes also added: "The people have realized that Messi is just a human. With tears, people have realized he is not a martian. But if he does not continue, a new stage for the national team will begin. We have to form a good squad. But the world has not ended because Argentina have lost four finals."
Photo credit: Leo Messi