Lionel Messi Urged to Return to Argentina National-Team Duty by Diego Maradona

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has urged Lionel Messi to reconsider his retirement from the national team. 

Per La Nacion (h/t Goal's Sacha Pisani), Maradona said: 

"

Messi has to stay in the national team. He will go to Russia in form to be world champion.

He has to rely more on boys who can help take the team forward and less on those who say they have to go.

Those who are saying he should quit are doing it so that we won't see what a disaster Argentine football has become.

"

Maradona expanded on the state of the Argentine Football Association, with the presidential election having been "marred by controversy and uncertainty," according to Pisani. He added: "I am very sorry and very angry with what is happening to Argentine football. We hit bottom, we reached the bottom."

Messi revealed his shocking decision on Sunday in the wake of Argentina's penalty-shootout defeat to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final—a year after suffering the same fate in the 2015 edition of the tournament, and two years on from losing 1-0 to Germany in extra time at the 2014 World Cup final.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The Barcelona forward became Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer during the tournament as he netted five goals to overtake Gabriel Batistuta, but once again his efforts were not enough to seal victory at the final hurdle.

Fox Sports' Grant Wahl believes Messi's announcement has detracted from Chile's remarkable achievement but isn't sure he will follow through on his decision:

Meanwhile, football writer Liam Canning believes the story could have gone differently had Gonzalo Higuain showed his usual composure—in all three finals, the Napoli man missed crucial chances:

Maradona isn't the only one trying to convince Messi to stay—Argentina President Mauricio Macri also lent him his support:

"

Más q nunca siento un gran orgullo x nuestra selección. Espero q la alegría de ver al mejor del mundo continúe muchos años más.#NoTeVayasLio

— Mauricio Macri (@mauriciomacri) June 27, 2016"

Per Goal's Chris Davie, he said: "I never feel greater pride in our team. I hope the joy of seeing the best in the world will continue for many years more." 

However, per BBC Sport, the 29-year-old said there would "be no going back" from his decision. Indeed, per football journalist Rafael Hernandez, fellow Argentina alumni Jorge Valdano does not believe Messi's mind can be changed:

After so much heartbreak with the national side compressed into just three years—which would never normally be the case on the international stage—Messi took a drastic decision with emotions running high. 

When the dust settles and the air clears, it's evident many are hoping he will change his mind.

If not, La Albiceleste will need to rebuild without their talisman. They still boast a considerable amount of attacking talent, but carrying on without Messi will be a long and arduous process—the 2018 World Cup will provide a useful barometer to indicate how far they've come.