Lionel Messi has announced that he will continue playing for Argentina despite retiring in the aftermath of his country's Copa America final defeat to Chile in June.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner announced that he was hanging up his international boots following their shootout defeat, which was his third loss in a major tournament in as many years with Argentina.
However, the 29-year-old Barcelona talisman has since met with new Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza and will now reverse his decision to retire.
"I see there are many problems in Argentinian football and I don't intend to create another one. I don't want to cause any damage, I've always tried to do just the opposite, to help all that I can," he told Argentine newspaper La Nacion.
"We need to fix many things in Argentinian football, but I prefer to do this from inside and not criticise from outside. Many things went through my head the day of the last final and I seriously thought of leaving, but I love this country and this shirt too much.
"I'm grateful to all the people who wanted me to continue playing with Argentina, hopefully we can give them something to cheer about soon."
Messi is his country's highest goalscorer of all time with 55 from 113 appearances.
Barney Corkhill
