Lionel Messi To Play In Argentina Friendly

Lionel Messi has been in sensational form for Barcelona this season as the club have romped to the summit of the Primera Division table.

The diminutive 21-year-old has also welcomed the beginning of the Diego Maradona era as manager of the Argentina national side, and that although he has yet to discuss the level of his involvement in the next fixture versus France, he confirmed that he will be available if called upon.

He told journalists, "I spoke with the coach (Pep Guardiola) about taking part and he understood the situation.

"I knew he would understand because he was sympathetic as a player and he also is as a person."

Barca Agreement

The Catalan club have a mutual understanding with the Argentine FA that Messi may only take part in competitive fixtures in order to avoid the player having to travel long distances and face burnout at such an early stage of his career.

However, with the World Cup qualifying fixtures recommencing in March, Messi wants to be involved in the set up again, hence the reason for his determination to take part.

He also said that no Argentina player would ever wear the light-blue-and-white jersey 'through compromise' but because they 'love the shirt'.

He continued, "Every player in Argentina loves that shirt, and they all want the best. We all know what it means to wear that shirt. None of us are here through compromise."

Maradona will be delighted to have his star player available as he looks to take Argentina to World Cup 2010, despite a disappointing qualifying campaign so far.

Paul Macdonald





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