Barcelona legend Xavi has explained that he expects that his former teammate Lionel Messi will return to play for Argentina because of the five time Ballon d'Or winner's competitive side.
Lionel Messi might be the best footballer of all time but the one thing that stands in his way according to many is the fact that he has failed to win any silverware with Argentina.
Three times Messi has helped his country get to the final of a major championships, twice in the Copa America and once in the World Cup, but on all three occasions they have failed to win with two penalty shoot-out losses and one in extra time.
After the last of those defeats, the 2016 Copa America final, Messi decided to call it a day when it came to playing for the national team.
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However he soon returned and his hat-trick against Ecuador in the final 2018 World Cup qualifier took Argentina to the finals in Russia. He again helped them get through the group stage with a goal against Nigeria but France were too good for them in the second round.
Since the tournament in Russia Messi has yet to play for Argentina and his future with the national team is still up in the air.
Speaking to Super Deportivo de Villa Trinidad, via Marca, former Barca man Xavi explained he thought Messi would return, saying:
"Yes, I think he'll return, why not? Sooner or later he'll want to return because he's a very competitive person, he's a competitive beast.
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"He needs some time to reflect and rest, and in the end it's his decision.
"He's the best player in the world, and I believe the best player in history, he will have the last word and he'll want to try and win with Argentina."
The former Newell's Old Boys youngster has come under criticism recently from Argentina legend and 1986 World Cup winner Diego Maradona.
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Xavi thought the criticism was harsh adding, "It seems to me very unjust, especially when it's not easy to play for a national team of a country with such high expectations."
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Things haven't improved for the South Americans since their World Cup exit. They have wins against Guatemala and Iraq but without their superstar drew 0-0 with Colombia and lost to Brazil.
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