Messi ‘can rediscover joy with Argentina’

Cesar Luis Menotti has said Lionel Messi will remember what it’s like to have fun now he is away from Barcelona.

Messi is preparing for the World Cup with Argentina and Menotti is quoted as saying that Barca has this season sucked the pleasure out of Messi’s life.

“I think Messi is going to come right back to the source, to the neighbourhood with his family and get away from the maelstrom,” Sports reports Menotti as saying.

“In Barcelona there is a lot of pressure and I think this has made him suffer.

“He needs to depart that climate and return to his natural place with his family, be with his friends and start training with the national team.

“It’s the logical way for recovery. I think he’ll go to the World Cup very well.

“Coming to Rosario and training with the team before travelling changes everything.

“Already it’s a new world, where he is well-liked and highly respected.

“And there is one country that accompanies that and I think he will regain the joy of playing. He looked sad on the field.

“But he wasn’t saving himself. When a footballer enters the pitch for the final League game he wants to be the best and win. It’s an emotional thing.”

Tags Argentina Lionel Messi Menotti World Cup 2014
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