Lionel Messi hints he will retire from Argentina duty if they flop at Russia World Cup
Messi previously retired back in 2016 from the international scene after Argentina lost to Chile in the Copa America final
LIONEL MESSI has said he will retire from international football if he doesn't win the World Cup with Argentina this summer.
Once again big things will be expected of a squad featuring the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala and of course one of the greatest ever in Messi.
The Barcelona striker has never won an international trophy, and has not enjoyed the best of relationships with the country's supporters.
The 30-year-old has already retired once from international football - back in 2016 days after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile.
And the little magician has suggested he could do the same once again if he fails to get his hands on silverware this summer.
Speaking to Argentine TRV show La Cornisa, Messi said: "We feel that, if we won't win the World Cup in Russia, the only way will be to give up the national team.
“I dream of winning the trophy in Russia. My wish is to live something similar to Brazil 2014.
"You can do everything OK and fail, like Argentina in Brazil.”
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Argentina haven't won the World Cup since 1986, where of course Diego Maradona's "Hand Of God" cheated England out of it.
And once again this summer they will be relying on divine intervention from the modern day magician Messi to propel them to glory.