Argentina coach will travel to Barcelona to talk Lionel Messi out of retirement

Lionel Messi during the Copa America final against Chile

Argentina national team replaced their coach Gerardo Martino with ex-Sao Paulo boss Edgardo Bauza, who has planned a visit to Barcelona in order to persuade Lionel Messi on reconsidering his retirement decision.

In what could be a much-needed turnaround, Argentina are presently embroiled in managing their team affairs for the Rio Olympics as the clubs have refused to release players for national duty. Since Messi announced his retirement, the Argentina national team has witnessed an exodus of players due to their disappointment in recent tournaments.

After their third consecutive major cup final loss, and losing out to Chile yet again in the Copa America, Messi cut a frustrated figure and dropped the bombshell of his retirement. From there on, it got worse for the Argentina national team as other senior players also vowed to retire from international football. To avoid the worst possible scenario, Bauza seems to have an agenda flying to Barcelona in an attempt to persuade Messi with his plans.

"We have had no contact with Messi, or any of his family," Bauza told Fox Sports. "The idea is that once I have met with the [interim Argentine Football Association president] Armando Perez, I will make a trip to have a chat [with Messi]. It is not about convincing him of anything, just to chat about football. Those of us who were players know how frustrating it is to lose a final. I will let him know my way of working – not just him, but other senior players too. There is not much time. If Messi knows anything clearly, it is what he must do on the pitch, and what decisions he should take. Between the two of us we could see how he could help the national team, and if he can continue with all this commitment that I have seen from outside."

Argentina lost in their first group game at Rio Olympics against Portugal 2-0. With dark clouds hovering over Argentinian football and following the announcement of Gerardo Martino’s sacking, sources close to Messi have indicated that the 113-times capped Argentinian could make a return given the positive outcome of talks with the new coach. Messi seems to be interested in helping his national side from the rut they are stuck in, but it is believed that the complex functioning of their board and the politics reflecting on the squad had left him uninterested.

Messi has scored 55 goals for Argentina and also won an Olympic gold medal in 2008, however, has lost three Copa America finals and one World Cup final.