It is widely speculated that Messi might retire from international football following Argentina’s poor performance in the World Cup at Russia.
If he does retire it would not be his first time having retired briefly following Argentina’s Copa America final loss to Chile in 2016.
While speaking to ESPN the 34 year old Argentine stressed how they need to keep the Country’s “biggest idol” happy and let him take charge on the pitch.
“I think Leo has to think about himself,” Tevez told ESPN. “He has to think that, if there is not a project that makes him happy and in which he feels comfortable, it is very difficult to take the responsibility of leading Argentina to become champions by himself.
“We are wasting a lot of time not having him happy and not being able to give him a hand to achieve that target. I think we are wrong in not being able to help him feel comfortable.
“As a player and as an Argentine I tell him that we need him, that he tries to rest, that he keeps a cool head and that we need him. We need him because he is the soul of Argentina and, as long as he continues playing football, it has to be that way because he is Argentina’s biggest idol and he has to take that responsibility.
“Now [I tell him] to rest, keep a cool head and try to be well, then we need him to take charge and on the pitch.”
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