Messi should take a break from internationals: Kempes

TIL Desk Sports/ Argentine football great Mario Kempes said on Saturday that Lionel Messi should take a break from international football in his and his team’s interests. “As things stand I think that giving Messi a break would not be a bad thing,” the 1978 World Cup winner told. “Or maybe he should take a decision to have rest.”

The comments come as the Albiceleste run the risk of being eliminated from the Copa America in Brazil before reaching the knockout stage. Lionel Scaloni’s men lost their first match against Colombia 2-0 before salvaging a 1-1 draw with Paraguay on Wednesday thanks to a second-half Messi penalty. The two-time World Cup winners must beat Qatar in their final group match on Sunday and rely on favourable results from other matches to progress to the quarterfinals.

“The players feel the need to give him (Messi) the ball. There is a lack of personality,” Kempes said. “What would happen if you take Messi out of this team? Why don’t we (rest him) and try to form a team without Messi? That might allow some other players, who are very good for their clubs, bloom for the national team.”