Gerardo Martino says he would have quit Argentina if he was Lionel Messi
Argentina national football team head coach Gerardo Tata Martino has come forward in defense of Lionel Messi after his star forward faced heavy criticism from his compatriots for his recent performances on the international scene. The former Barcelona manager has stated that he would have stopped playing for his nation if it was him in Messi’s place.
These criticisms flew in after Argentina lost the 2015 Copa America final to host nation Chile as they were defeated 4-1 in a penalty shootout. In the entire tournament, Messi managed to find the net only once from the spot during a group stage match against Paraguay after which elevated existing doubts of Messi not replicating his club form for his country.
‘Those who criticise Messi don’t deserve to analyse football.’
The Barcelona maestro enjoyed a spectacular season with the Catalan outfit under new manager Luis Enrique winning a record-breaking second treble and also ended up as the all-time highest scorer of the club. However, Messi failed to carry over his club form into the Copa tournament and for that reason, the 28-year-old has been singled out and questioned by his compatriots for his shortcomings to secure any silverware for his nation.
But Martino, who was in charge of the Blaugranas in the 2013/14 season, has justified Messi’s frustrations as he is of the opinion that his marquee man has been received unfair treatment from his country.
Talking to Fox Sports, he said, "Nobody told me that Messi is not allowed to play friendlies," he told Fox Sports. "Neither via his mouth, nor my mouth, nor the mouth of Argentina football association's president has Messi's absence been called for.
"To talk about such a thing is to give credence to rumours that don't deserve analysis. Those who criticise Messi's performances don't deserve to analyse football.
"Talk of him considering retiring from the national team is frustrating but understandable; if I was Messi, I'd have stopped playing for Argentina a long time ago," the former Barcelona manager added.
Martino’s took over the Albiceleste squad from Alejandro Sabella as the head coach after the team’s loss at the 2014 World Cup final. His tenure at Camp Nou was an unsuccessful one as Barca endured a trophyless season under the Argentine.
Messi has made 103 appearances for his country, scoring 46 goals, but the only silverware he has to show for his international efforts came at the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and the 2008 Olympics.