President of Argentina’s national football association, Claudio Tapia, says he has told national captain Lionel Messi to play fewer games for La Liga side FC Barcelona before June.
He said this was in order to enable the Argentine striker stay fresh for his country ahead of the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Argentina will face Nigeria, Iceland and Croatia in Group D of the preliminary round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Tapia’s plea has, however, largely gone unheeded by Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, who has started Messi in 33 of the team’s total 39 games this season.
He only left him out of the match day squad in three King’s Cup games.
The coach did leave Messi out of the starting line-up for the first time in the league against Espanyol on February 4.
But he later threw the Argentine on as a substitute to help salvage a 1-1 draw.
“I hope all the players arrive at the level they are at the moment. Sergio Aguero is playing outstanding football right now and Messi is always at the top of his game,” Tapia said.
“That’s vital for the directors and the coaching staff. We have spoken to Messi about taking care of himself and about playing less for FC Barcelona.”
Tapia also said Argentina are planning to play a friendly against Catalonia in June as part of their preparations for the World Cup in Russia.
