This refers to the editorial, “A ‘Messi’ relationship” (June 29). lionel Messi, like his famous countryman Diego Maradona, is god's gift to football. He cannot deprive his fans of some more years of pristine football left with him. The football world wants more of those sublime free kicks and super ball control. Messi's decision to quit seems to stem from desperation and frustration at not winning the Copa America tournament, as he had promised to his countrymen. The worth of a player is judged by the way he has inspired his teammates, taken his country through turbulent times and caught the imagination of an entire generation. Messi scores on each of the above.
One doubts whether the struggling Argentine Football Association will be able to convince Messi to reconsider his decision. But it is in the fitness of things that both Maradona and Argentina President Mauricio Macri have urged him to stay. If Messi rejects all requests, some of his teammates may follow the suit. This will badly hit the team's prospects in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.