Lionel Messi Set for Mexico vs. Argentina Call-Up, Gerardo Martino Slams Critics

Lionel Messi is set to be called up by Argentina to play in the planned September 8 friendly against Mexico despite recent claims that the Barcelona star would sit out the match.

Veronica Brunati of Spanish outlet AS recently reported an Argentine Football Association representative as saying that Messi would be excused from the Mexico game to rest.

The news came in the wake of Argentina's disappointing failure at the Copa America—when they lost in the final to Chile—after which Messi received much criticism and speculation arose that the 28-year-old may quit the national team, per Argentine outlet Ole (h/t AS):

However, Albiceleste manager Gerardo Martino has now rubbished any ideas that Messi will not be called up for the Mexico clash, per Argentina's Radio Uno (via Spanish outlet Marca): "Messi has not made himself unavailable for the Mexico game. You'll see that when I name my squad next week."

Argentina's penalty-shootout defeat to Chile in July was their second major final defeat in a year, coming after 2014's World Cup final defeat to Germany.

After a season in which he won the treble with Barcelona and scored 43 La Liga goals, Messi was criticised for netting only once in the Copa America, per WhoScored.com.

His own grandfather, Antonio Cuccitini, even waded in, per Radio Casilda (h/t Joe Strange on MailOnline): "Some of him was there," he said. "Triumphs are the greatest things there are. But the last three games he was bad. He was lazy."

Martino has come out in defence of his star forward, without whom it is doubtful that Argentina would have made it to the Copa America or World Cup final.

The former Barca manager has praised Messi's contributions at Chile's Copa as some of his best in an Argentina shirt, per Radio Uno (h/t Marca):

"

In my opinion, Messi's Copa America performances were his best in an Argentina shirt. I shouldn't even respond to this type of criticism, because it's unbelievable. It wouldn't stand up to analysis and has no basis. As an Argentine, I'd be hugely disappointed [if Messi quit the national team] because nobody can imagine not having the best player in the world available for selection.

"

And it is hard to argue with Martino, especially concerning Messi's performance in the 6-1 semi-final drubbing of Paraguay, per WhoScored:

Messi is currently back with Barcelona following his post-Copa America holiday. The Catalan giants have a busy schedule coming up, with the UEFA and Spanish Super Cups to negotiate before the new La Liga season begins.

Some Barca fans may have been satisfied with the news that Messi would sit out the September friendly, to give him time to rest. However, it now seems that the Argentine superstar is set to take the field against Mexico after all.