Argentina defender Gabriel Mercado says the national team is waiting “with open arms” for Lionel Messi‘s return.
Messi has not played for La Albiceleste since the team’s disappointing World Cup campaign this summer, which ended in the Round of 16 with a loss to eventual winners France.
The erstwhile national team captain has since been on a self-imposed exile, missing the last three rounds of international fixtures.
Sevilla centre-back Mercado says Argentina understands Messi’s decision, but hopes the talisman returns soon.
“We have to respect his decision, he has his reasons for wanting to take time out and if he wants to consider a return at some point, that will be really important,” he told Goal.
“All Argentineans are waiting for him with open arms, so we have to wait and see what will happen.”
Messi has yet to win a senior honour with Argentina, the Olympic gold medal he won in 2008 his only major success with the national team.
He was instrumental in their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup, with the Barcelona star sealing Argentina’s spot at the tournament with a hat-trick in the final round of qualifiers.
But for a team that had reached the final in 2014, and hasn’t won a World Cup since 1986, anything less than bringing the trophy home was always going to be considered a disappointment.
“It was really difficult for Argentina since the qualification with three different coaches,” Mercado said.
“Jorge [Sampaoli] arrived and tried to implement his ideas and we couldn’t do it at the World Cup.
“It is not easy to play a World Cup because all the teams want what you want. Argentina had additional pressure because at the last World Cup they lost the final and would only be happy with winning the cup.
“We tried, it was our dream, but unfortunately we couldn’t do it and Jorge had to leave us.
“I will always have a huge respect for him (Messi) because he helped me to join Sevilla and to play at the World Cup. I wish him the best.”
