‘Messi will make return to Argentina team next year’
Lionel Messi will make his international comeback next year, with the Argentina general manager believing his return is inevitable.
The Barcelona legend has not played for his national team since Argentina were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 16 encounter with France on June 30.
Caretaker manager Lionel Scaloni has started the rebuilding job, but has not named Messi in any of his three squads since the start of the new season.
The 31-year-old is again absent from the camp ahead of backto-back international friendlies against Mexico this week.
But general manager Jorge Burruchaga expects Messi to form an integral part of Argentina’s quest to win next summer’s Copa America in Brazil.
He told Goal.com: “No date is scheduled right now for the return of Messi, and he will not be back before the end of the year.
“But it’s impossible that he will not be in the national team again. This is transitory. I’m sure that next year, he will be in the Argentine national team again.”
Messi has earned 128 caps for his country since making his debut in 2005 at the age of 18.
He became Argentina’s alltime record goalscorer in June 2016, but despite his 65 goals - the world icon only has an Olympic gold medal to show for his efforts.
Man United face £308m salary bill despite league struggles
Figures released by Manchester United for the first quarter of 2018 show the club’s wage bill has increased by more than 10 per cent.
The Old Trafford club’s salary bill for the 2018/19 season is estimated at £308million - the biggest in the Premier League.
The signing of Alexis Sanchez last January as well as the arrivals of Fred and Diogo Dalot and contract extension of Marouane Fellaini in the summer all contribute to the increase.
The huge wage hike has done little to improve results on the pitch, with the club languishing in eighth position - 12 points of rivals Manchester City.
United stuck to its fullyear forecast for revenue and core earnings, even as it posted a drop in first-quarter revenue, partly due to playing fewer home games early in the season.