Lionel messi statue unveiled in Argentina

The president of Argentina said on Tuesday he hopes to meet Lionel Messi next week and convince him to return to the national team.

President Mauricio Macri said he had spoken by telephone with Messi after he announced his shock retirement from the Argentine national team following the dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat by Chile in the Copa America final last Sunday.

Messi returned to Argentina on Monday, but has not spoken publicly about his decision.