Lionel Messi Talks International Retirement, Injury After Argentina vs. Uruguay

Lionel Messi has said he "did not deceive anybody" by returning from his international retirement with Argentina on Thursday to face Uruguay in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. 

After scoring the decisive goal to give the 10-man Albiceleste a 1-0 win in the match—and to take top spot in the qualification standings—he told TV Publica (h/t Goal's David Manuca):

"

I am very grateful [to return to the national team]. But I did not deceive anybody when I retired. We were very disappointed with what had happened, but after that I thought better. I had a conversation with the Paton [manager Edgardo Bauza] and the people as well accompanied me through it.

"

The 29-year-old announced he had hung up his boots with the national team in June following Argentina's defeat to Chile—in which he missed a spot-kick in the shootout—in the Copa America Centenario final.

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

The heartbreak was Argentina's third final defeat in as many years, having lost to Chile in the same manner in the Copa America in 2015 and to Germany in extra time at the 2014 World Cup.

As Messi alluded to, he changed his mind following talks with new Argentina boss Bauza over the summer, meaning he did not miss any matches during his self-imposed exile.

He could be absent for Tuesday's match with Venezuela, however, as he added: "I don't know if I will play against Venezuela. I have a lot of pain in my groin, but I wanted to be here after the disturbance I caused."

Per Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez, Messi was determined to link up with the team despite picking up a slight knock with Barcelona prior to the international break:

The Camp Nou forward is a talismanic figure for his country, and his appearance evidently paid off—he maintained his outstanding record with them by netting against Uruguay, per Messi Stats:

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Messi's Argentina stats after the 1-0 win against Uruguay on Thursday #ARGvsURU pic.twitter.com/49VcAOU38m

— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) September 2, 2016"

With the Copa America not set to return until 2019, Messi's next international tournament will be the World Cup in two years' time.

He will be 31 when it comes around, so it will be his last appearance in the competition while still in his prime.

Given the wealth of talent Argentina boast even without Messi, they can always be considered contenders, but after such disappointment, they'll have a huge mental hurdle to overcome if they're to win it.

If they do, Messi will almost certainly have played a key role.