Argentina Midfield Lionel Messi 10 reacts AS He Waits for Chile Midfield Francisco Silva to Kick What proved to Be The Deciding Point AS Chile Beat Argentina in Penalty Kicks 4 2 AT The Copa America Centenario USA 2016 Finals AT MetLife Stage in East Rutherford New Jersey ON June 26 2016 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY RAYxSTUBBLEBINE
Lionel Messi is once again in the headlines in his native Argentina following his shock four-match ban by Fifa after he was found guilty of insulting a referee in his country’s 1-0 win over Chile.
In his absence, Argentina would lose 2-0 to Bolivia in La Paz, jeopardizing their chances of qualifying for the Russia 2018 World Cup as they now hang precariously in the playoff spot.
As criticisms pour in for their talisman following his latest saga with the national side, goalkeeper Mariano Andujar believes the no 10 isn’t appreciated in his homeland and should not bother returning to the side.
Andujar feels five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi – Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer who temporarily retired after Copa America Centenario last year – is being unfairly treated back home, Goal writes.
“I honestly don’t think Leo should bother coming back, but he loves playing for the national team,” Andujar told Dos Contra Uno.
“But he shouldn’t bother. Why are you going to come back? So that they can boo you again? Why would you bother?
“Nobody appreciates him. Everybody says ‘why doesn’t he play for Argentina like he does for Barcelona,’ they accuse him of not bothering.
“He said he wasn’t going to play again and they started putting up banners on July 9 asking for him to come back; you don’t appreciate what you’ve got until it’s gone.”
Messi has reunited with his Barcelona teammates as they look to continue their La Liga title defence with a trip to Granada on Sunday.
