Argentine football legend Diego Maradona said he was confident Lionel Messi would return to the national team after he decided to stay away from the bitter 2018 World Cup final.
According to press reports, Messi, 31, will not play in friendly matches for the country during the rest of the year.
Argentina suffered the last World Cup in Russia, and came out after a poor performance of the role of the 16 by the French team, who made his way successfully and crowned the title.
We will see what happens, but if he does not, we will be in trouble, "Maradona told Spanish daily Marca.
Maradona denied that he had attacked Messi earlier this year, adding: "Messi my friend, I am not talking badly about my friend in front of the public.If there is anything to say, I will tell him directly."
"Messi is a phenomenal player. I can not say more than that."
The Barcelona star has already retired from international football after losing the Copa America against Chile in 2016, but retracted his decision and returned to the squad later.
Messi played 128 times for Argentina, scoring 65 goals, becoming the five-man's top scorer, but failing to make a big achievement.
