Lionel Messi’s withdrawal from the Argentine national team continues to generate reactions. Hernán Crespo, former Argentine player and current coach of the Atlas Club. Crespo recalled when Messi was not well received in Argentina. They appreciate it even in defeats.
Lionel Messi has already retired once from the national team of Argentina, but that time under a very different context. After losing the Copa América Centenario, Messi abandoned the team amid criticisms, doubts and reproaches about his delivery. This is not the same scenario today.
“He has gone through every climate, even...Hated no, but rejected! Look at the greatness that teaches us once again one thing: not just to love him from victory... He managed to be respected in defeat,” Crespo said in an interview with David Faitelson.
Crespo and his feelings after Messi's farewell to the Argentine national team ??#FaitelsonSinCensure pic.twitter.com/PP4XcCWrwu
When he made the decision to leave the national team for the first time, Lionel Messi had not been able to win any title with the absolute national team of Argentina. But the fate deparated great moments to the former player of FC Barcelona.
In the Copa América Centenario, and in the previous one he lost, Messi was the main pointed out by Argentine fans. Now, Messi is once again taking a step to the side in the middle of a defeat: losing the 2026 World Cup final. However, the panorama is completely different.
“He taught us to the Argentines that we can respect in defeat; we can also respect a person and say, ‘He is human, he suffered, he got up, he won and he ended up losing, and he can retire quietly, that nobody will tell him anything’,” said Hernán Crespo.
In this sense, Hernán Crespo explained that the footprint of Lionel Messi surpasses the sports. The strategist of the Atlas believes that the captain of the Albiceleste taught him to respect and love his idols to the passionate Argentine fans.
“I think the social message that Lionel has given is very big, it’s very big... Especially for us, the generation of those who haven’t seen Maradona,” he added.
