Just two days after Lionel Messi said he'd never play for his country again, a statue of him has been unveiled in Buenos Aires.
The bronze statue in Messi's honour was unveiled by Buenos
Aires Mayor Horacio Larreta, who said he is confident the 29-year-old
will reverse his decision.Following Argentina's defeat by Chile on penalties in the Copa America final on Sunday, an emotional Messi immediately announced the end of his career with the national team.
Messi has not spoken since about
his decision but there has been a huge national push to persuade the Barcelona forward to play on.
Larretta said: "Without a doubt, I really want him to come back and without a doubt he is going to come back.
"I have this really overpowering faith that tells me that with him we are going to be champions in Russia [World Cup 2018]. As the saying goes, 'fourth time lucky'."
Messi has won eight La Liga and four Champions League titles with Barcelona, but his only major international honour is an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing.
