Report: Lionel Messi to Return to Argentina National Team for March Friendlies

Lionel Messi will return to the Argentina national team for friendlies against Venezuela and Czech Republic in March, ESPN Argentina reported. 

Messi has taken a break from international duty following the 2018 World Cup. Despite his best efforts in the tournament, Argentina lost 4-3 to France in the round of 16 after collecting just four points in the group stage.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner previously retired from the national team in June 2016 after La Albiceleste lost in a penalty shootout to Chile in the Copa America final for the second year in a row. He was back less than two months later.

Messi's relationship with Argentina and its supporters has been fraught at times.

Despite everything he has achieved at Barcelona, the 31-year-old has yet to escape the shadow of Diego Maradona in his home country. He has also had to shoulder the burden of expectation and often receives plenty of blame—often unfairly—for Argentina's recent failures to bring home either a Copa America or World Cup title.

In addition that pressure, Messi and his teammates have had to grapple with the general dysfunction behind the scenes within the Argentine Football Association.

The timing of Messi's return will allow Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni plenty of time to adjust his tactics ahead of the 2019 Copa America. Messi can help Argentina in its qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup as well, assuming he remains committed to the national team.