Messi could hang up his Argentine boots: Grondona
July 15th, 2011 - 6:53 pm ICT by IANSLondon, July 15 (IANS) Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona warned that Lionel Messi could end his international career if the fans and the Argentine media continue their criticism of the Barcelona star.
Messi is under fierce criticism for his below-par performances in the first two group games at the Copa America. Now as Argentina gear up for their quarterfinal clash against Uruguay, Grondona warned that Messi could end his international career if fans expect him to replicate his form for Barcelona.
“The solution would be for Messi to say: ‘I will not come any more, I will stay in Spain’. What everyone acknowledges is that the Argentines want to put him down. Messi was born in Rosario, he lived and played there, he had growth problems. He followed his path, found a place - Barcelona - and they took care of him as if he was born there,” Grondona was quoted as saying by Radio Cooperativa
“And despite this, he said no to Spain because he wanted to play for Argentina. We have to reflect on this,” he said.
- I will always play for Argentina, says Messi - Jul 15, 2011
- Messi named ambassador of his native town Rosario - Dec 31, 2011
- Maradona sacked as Argentina's football coach - Jul 28, 2010
- Messi backs Batista as national coach - Sep 07, 2010
- Barcelona aim to unite Neymar and Messi - Mar 11, 2012
- Messi always gives more than his best for national team: Zabaleta - Sep 01, 2011
- FIFA probing Argentina-Nigeria friendly - Jun 04, 2011
- Jubilant reception for Maradona, Messi in Buenos Aires - Jul 05, 2010
- Maradona brands Riquelme traitor - Jul 19, 2012
- Messi wants to play whole career for Barcelona - Nov 06, 2011
- French fan flies down to Kolkata, but misses Messi - Aug 31, 2011
- A little Argentina in Kolkata - Aug 30, 2011
- Real Madrid recruits seven-year-old - Aug 08, 2011
- Maradona again slams Bilardo - Oct 23, 2009
- Ranbir to watch Messi in action in Kolkata - Aug 20, 2011
Tags: afa president, argentina, argentine football, argentines, barcelona, boots, copa america, football association, group games, international career, julio grondona, lionel messi, london, quarterfinal clash, radio cooperativa, rosario, spain, uruguay