Barcelona star Lionel Messi’s international retirement was all a ploy, claims Diego Maradona

DIEGO MARADONA has controversially hinted that he believes Lionel Messi’s international retirement was a ploy to help the public forget Argentina’s failings.

The Barcelona star announced he would no longer be available for selection following La Albiceleste's Copa America final defeat against Chile in June.

3

3

3

Messi quickly reversed his decision following a recent meeting with national boss Edgardo Bauza.

And that swift change of mind has cast doubts in the mind of the iconic Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986.

Maradona said: "I do not know if Messi's retirement was a set-up to help us forget about the fact that we lost three finals in a row.

related stories

ROTTENHAM

'Can't get my head round it' - Jamie Redknapp baffled by embarrassing Spurs stat

ON THE VIRG

'Kind of pettiness I can relate to' - Fans spot what Van Dijk did to Richalison

MONEY MATTERS

Premier League facing legal action over new financial rules to replace PSR

FORD FOCUS

Inside Rashford's first week at Villa as star insists on training on day off

"The lad first said that he was going to give up and then took a step back and managed to change his mind in just a matter of weeks."

Argentina begin their World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Uruguay on 2 September before travelling to Venezuela five days later.