Edgardo Bauza blames Martino for Leo Messi's decision

Edgardo Bauza blames Martino for Leo Messi's decision

Edgardo Bauza has been chosen by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) as the man to change the opinion of Leo Messi, regarding the Barça star's future in his national team.

The manager believes his mission is not to convince the player, but to identify the reasons behind his radical decision to retire from international football.

Bauza has not had any problem in suggesting who he blames for the situation.

For him, the responsibility for Messi throwing in the towel is that of his predecessor, Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.

"If you leave him (Messi) alone, we see what happened against Chile, where he had four players on top of him.

"He suffered a lot in that game, and he had problems in generating play", said Bauza, in a criticism of the system designed by the ex-Barça coach.

"The idea is that the play goes through him, we know how he can change a game. Messi has played in three positions: as a central forward, a little deeper, and Guardiola used him in some games on the right.

"The intention is that he is placed where he can change things, and for that he needs the participation of the team, we can not depend solely on Messi", concluded Bauza, using the example of Pep Guardiola's time at Barcelona.

Regarding a possible meeting between Bauza and Messi in the Catalan capital, the coach commented: "I don't know why they are saying that he must be convinced.

"I am going to talk about football with him, and afterwards we will see if that chat gives way to the possibility of him reversing the phrase he said after the (Copa America) final."

"Those of us who have felt that frustration understand that phrase", he told TyC Sports.