Messi Returns To Argentina Team After Eight-Month Absence

Lionel Messi was named in the Argentina squad Thursday for the first time since the World Cup, ending a self-imposed eight-month absence. Advertisement Interim … Continue reading Messi Returns To Argentina Team After Eight-Month Absence

By Ignatius Igwe

Updated March 7, 2019

Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi (L) gestures next to assistant coach Lionel Scaloni during a training session at the team’s base camp in Bronnitsy, near Moscow, on June 11, 2018, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni called up Lionel Messi to be back in the Argentinian squad on March 7, 2019, ahead of friendly football matches in preparation for the Copa America, to be held in Brazil on June and July 2019. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP

Lionel Messi was named in the Argentina squad Thursday for the first time since the World Cup, ending a self-imposed eight-month absence.

Interim coach Lionel Scaloni named the five-time World Player of the Year in his squad for the friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco.

The Barcelona star hasn’t pulled on the light blue and white national team jersey since Argentina were dumped out of the World Cup last June by eventual winners France.

AFP