Messi to skip Argentina friendlies - reports

AFP  |  Buenos Aires 

will miss Argentina's next four friendly matches, according to local press reports.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner previously retired from the national side after their 2016 Copa America final defeat by before returning to help them qualify for this year's

The two-time world champions will face in on September 7 and in four days later, before two friendlies later in the year against as-yet unnamed opponents.

"will not return this year and there are doubts about his future," proclaimed Argentinian daily Clarin.

website Infobae said: "He will take a rest period, but that doesn't mean he's quitting."

"It is the who will say, when the time comes, what the situation is concerning Messi," a told AFP.

has been in temporary charge of since left after their disastrous tournament in Russia, where they were beaten 4-3 in the last 16 by after an embarrassing 3-0 group-stage loss to

He will name his first squad for the visit to the later this week.

"It's very personal, Leo must take his time to think about it," said Carlos Tevez, who is in for Boca Juniors' friendly on Wednesday at the

"It's understandable... even if he doesn't come back. When the international side play, rightly or wrongly, we criticise him. It's bad for the team and for him... I understand because I've been in that situation."

Messi's next chance to win his first major international title will be the 2019 Copa America in

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, August 15 2018. 09:40 IST