Lionel Messi: I didn't deceive anybody about Argentina retirement

Lionel Messi claims that he did not deceive anybody by announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team after losing in the Copa America Centenario final.

Messi, 29, announced his retirement from international football following Argentina's penalty shootout loss against Chile this summer, but decided to return to the national team following discussions with new boss Edgardo Bauza.

Having scored the only goal in Argentina's 1-0 win over Uruguay to help his country go top of the the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification standings on Thursday, the Barcelona star explained his reason for reversing his decision.

"I am very grateful [to return to the national team]," Messi told TV Publica. "But I did not deceive anybody when I retired, I felt that.

"We were very disappointed with what had happened, but after that I thought better. I had a conversation with the Paton [Bauza] and the people as well accompanied me through it."

Despite his commitment to the national team, Messi's participation in next Tuesday's World Cup qualifier away to Venezuela is in doubt after he suffered a groin injury in the Uruguay win.

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