Martino: Messi’s best national performance was at Copa!

The Argentina National team boss Gerardo Martino has opened up on the Number 10’s heavily debated performance at the Copa America in Chile this summer. Martino believes Lionel Messi played his best games for his country during the competition.

Lionel Messi was heavily criticized from some sections of the Argentinean media, with the newspaper ‘Ole’ even demanding the super star’s  expelling from the team. Speaking to Radio Uno (via goal.com), Martino said, “In my opinion, Messi’s Copa America performances were his best in an Argentina shirt. “

“I shouldn’t even respond to this type of criticism, because it’s unbelievable. It wouldn’t stand up to analysis and has no basis.” the coach stated.

The former Barcelona coach also said that La Pulga has not communicated any desire to be left out of the friendly game against Mexico, scheduled for 8th September in the US.

“Messi has not made himself unavailable for the Mexico game. You’ll see that when I name my squad next week. As an Argentine, I would be hugely disappointed because nobody can imagine not having the best player in the world available for selection.

“No one imagines a national team without Messi.”

The manager concluded by revealing that he was crestfallen when he saw his player’s reaction to the loss Argentina lost the second consecutive major final within an year. “It hurt me a lot to see the lads’ faces after the defeat. They had prepared well.”