In a not all that surprising turn of events, we probably haven’t seen the last of Lionel Messi representing Argentina in international competition.
Sometimes even the best athletes in the world are overcome by emotion and make decisions with their hearts instead of their heads. That’s even more true when they’re playing for their countries.
So it was when Lionel Messi, still stinging after his Argentina side lost to Chile in penalty kicks in the Copa America final — a match that saw Messi miss his own PK — said he was done with his national team. It was a choice that felt like it was very much made in the moment, with disappointment clouding all.
Thus, most soccer fans and observers felt we’d see Lionel Messi in the blue and white again, and it turns out it may not even be too long before that’s the case. La Nacion reports (as translated by SI) that Messi will return to the Argentina fold, perhaps as early as November.
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With Messi just 29 and clearly still at the height of his powers, he’s got plenty of time to chase down a Copa America title, to say nothing of a World Cup since the next one starts up less than two years from now.
In the meantime, Argentina supporters can breathe a sigh of release. Messi may not have delivered for his homeland yet, but it wouldn’t really be wise to bet against him, and certainly La Albiceleste has to like their chances better with him than without.
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