Argentina boss Gerardo Martino claims he would have quit the national team if he were Lionel Messi due to the heavy criticism the forward receives for his performances.
Messi was criticised by some in his home country following the team’s penalty shootout defeat to hosts Chile in this summer’s Copa America final, with former Argentina player and coach Diego Maradona among those questioning why the Barcelona star could not translate his club form to the international stage.
The 28-year-old has won every available trophy for Barca while also picking up four individual Ballon d’Or awards, but he has yet to win any silverware with the senior Argentina side, who also lost the 2014 World Cup final.
Martino – who has been in charge of the Albiceleste since the team lost the World Cup 2014 final – thinks Messi has every right to be frustrated with the way he is treated by his compatriots.
