Barcelona's Lionel Messi could take a break from representing Argentina

The criticism Argentina have received on the back of their Copa America final defeat against Chile could prove the straw that broke the camel's back for Lionel Messi. The Barcelona forward, Argentina's biggest star, has grown tired of becoming the scapegoat after every Argentine failure. Therefore, he is thinking about taking a break from representing his country. 

In Diario Olé, Messi's performance in the final and his role as captain have been called into question in a harsh letter. Meanwhile, online criticism from fans and the abuse his family received at the Estadio Nacional have also provoked Messi to think, according to Olé, about being asked not to be called up by Tata Martino for the time being. 

Argentina's next friendly is planned for September 8 against Mexico and the first qualifying games for Russia 2018 World Cup will begin in October. They could be played without Messi, though. Barcelona fans would certainly not be against him taking a break from his national team duties.