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What's the rumour?
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi will reportedly return to the Argentina national team in time for their friendlies against Venezuela and Czech Republic in March.
In case you didn't know...
The Argentine's international future has been hanging up in the air since he asked his country's FA to excuse him from international duties for the rest of 2018 following Argentina's short-lived FIFA World Cup campaign.
The 31-year-old previously retired from the international team in 2016 following consecutive Copa America finals losses to Chile but changed his mind two months later.
Argentina FA president Claudio Tapia has repeatedly insisted that their star talisman would make a return soon with head coach Lionel Scaloni recently revealing that he has a "good feeling" about the comeback.
Speaking to reporters after Argentina were drawn in Group B with Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar, Scaloni said, "We will speak with Leo in the days before the March list. When the time is right we will speak.
"I hope he can be here but more than that, we want him to be happy. I have a good feeling."
The heart of the matter
ESPN Argentina now reports that the Barcelona captain will make his return to the Argentina national team during their friendlies against Venezuela and Czech Republic in March.
The report also claims that the news will only be confirmed when the manager publishes the squad list for the games against Venezuela and Morocco.
It was previously thought that Messi will make his comeback in the Copa America, but it appears he may return much sooner.
Rumour rating: 7/10
While rumours of an international retirement have been rife in recent months, a return for the little magician makes sense considering the fact that he is still at the top of his game and a trophy with his national team is yet to be won.
Now that a new permanent manager has been announced by the Argentinian FA and considering his good relationship with Scaloni, a return seems likely.
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What's next?
Messi is yet to speak about his future with his national team and it remains to be seen what decision he makes in this regard.
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