Argentine forward Lionel Messi has decided to come out of international retirement and is a part of the national squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
After La Albiceleste’s Copa America 2016 final defeat to Chile, captain and talisman Lionel Messi decided to announce his retirement from the international stage, shocking fans around the world.
However, on Friday, the Argentine FA announced that Messi has decided to overturn his previous decision to retire and will be a part of the nation’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela.
Fans on Twitter did not seem overly pleased by the player’s decision to retire and change his mind so quickly.
If you leave and come back before any games have been played, did you really retire in the first place? #Messi #dramaqueen
— Sean DiSesa (@SeanDiSesa) August 12, 2016
Well, that didn’t last long. Lionel Messi comes out of retirement. Maybe he’ll retire again the next time Argentina lose…
— Asrar Kadyrov (@Zarar27) August 12, 2016
Messi came back from retirement faster than he disappeared in the World Cup final
— sap (@THEBAVARlAN) August 12, 2016
Messi might’ve come out of International retirement but the question still remains, can he do it on a cold rainy night in stoke?
— le panda noir (@sreejitd) August 12, 2016
After a short temper tantrum, Lionel Messi puts on his big boy pants & returns to the Argentinian National team.
— Biswatosh Sinha (@biswatosh) August 12, 2016
@bayerncentral @dw_sports Higuiain celebrating his offside goal in WC final lasted longer than Messi’s retirement
— Anup (@irondevil666) August 12, 2016
Many believed it was due to his personal animosity with Ronaldo.
Ronaldo wins the euros, Messi comes out of international retirement. No coincidence
— CO (@ChipObafemi) August 12, 2016
Messi out of retirement from international football cause of CR7
— ITANI (@Itani) August 12, 2016
Messi coming back from retirement because Ronaldo won euros hahahaha
— JayGood (@JayGoodLfc) August 12, 2016
I think messi and Ronaldo are both great but if Pourtgal didn’t win the euros messi would not come out of retirement
— Chris bright (@chrisbrght1988) August 12, 2016
Others compared the scenario to Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi, who has come out of retirement multiple times.
Messi does a Shahid Afridi.
Who would have thought— Dr.Buttercup (@Stuprous_doctor) August 12, 2016
Afridi… Messi… Same-Same. #MessiBack pic.twitter.com/jxn1dYhu1d
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) August 12, 2016
Looking at so many people comparing him with Afridi, Messi may soon announce his retirement again.
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) August 12, 2016
