Messi Dependence Hurting Argentina

Juan Sebastian Veron said Argentina must stop relying heavily upon Lionel Messi in order to develop the rest of their squad and backed Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino to take over as coach.

Messi has yet to discuss his international future after competing in his fourth World Cup, in which Argentina were knocked out in the round of 16 by eventual winners France.

The runners-up in the 2014 World Cup, Argentina also finished second at the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, leaving Messi with only an Olympic gold medal from 2008 to show for his international accomplishments.

“It’s time to build a group,” Veron, the former Argentina international, told ESPN Argentina. “Obviously, if Leo is eager [to be part of the national team], they would need to involve him little by little.

“I think we have to prepare the base and once and for all think about a team and not think about someone who can save us. Even more at this time, watching other national teams and how they faced the World Cup, it seems essential to think about a group.”

Argentina would not have reached the World Cup had it not been for a hat trick Messi scored in their final qualifier, a 3-1 win at Ecuador on Oct. 10. Messi said in March that Argentina would have to win the competition “now or never.”