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Football news - ‘Lionel Messi will make return to Argentina national team next year’
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Published 15/11/2018 at 10:26 GMT
Lionel Messi will make his international comeback next year, with the Argentina general manager believing his return is inevitable.
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi congratulates France's forward Kylian Mbappe (R) at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between France and Argentina at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on June 30, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
The Barcelona legend has not played for his national team since Argentina were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 16 encounter with France on June 30.
Caretaker manager Lionel Scaloni has started the rebuilding job, but has not named Messi in any of his three squads since the start of the new season.
The 31-year-old is again absent from the camp ahead of back-to-back international friendlies against Mexico this week.
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Messi scored a stunning goal against Nigeria at the World Cup
Image credit: Getty Images
But general manager Jorge Burruchaga expects Messi to form an integral part of Argentina’s quest to win next summer’s Copa America in Brazil.
He told Goal.com: "No date is scheduled right now for the return of Messi, and he will not be back before the end of the year.
"But it's impossible that he will not be in the national team again. This is transitory. I'm sure that next year, he will be in the Argentine national team again."
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Lionel Scaloni is the current caretaker manager of Argentina
Image credit: Getty Images
Messi has earned 128 caps for his country since making his debut in 2005 at the age of 18.
He became Argentina's all-time record goalscorer in June 2016, but despite his 65 goals – the world icon only has an Olympic Gold medal to show for his efforts.
After suffering three runner-up places in the Copa America, along with the World Cup final defeat in 2014, Messi will be determined to finally go one better next summer in the backyard of their fiercest rivals.
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