Messi can win over Argentina fans

Argentina are looking to win the Copa America on home ground next year and end the doubts in fans’ minds about Lionel Messi’s commitment and ability when playing for his country, coach Sergio Batista said. In the calm of Argentina’s training complex outside the capital, far removed from the bustle of Diego Maradona’s controversial spell in charge of the team, Batista said he was confident Messi would finally win over the fans during the tournament in July.

“He’s had very good games, he always gave of his best in the national team shirt...To heap so much responsibility on Lionel seems unfair to me,” Batista told Reuters in an interview.

“He has to go out, play and enjoy and we try to build a team on the basis of what Lionel is,” the 48-year-old Batista said. “That Lionel should feel comfortable within a system we propose on the pitch is pleasing because he’s the best player in the world and to have him in good spirits is good.” Messi, who was in Batista’s Olympic gold-medal team in 2008, was FIFA player of the year in 2009 and is on the short list of three for this year’s award with Barcelona team mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta, World Cup winners with Spain in South Africa in July.

“What happens with Lionel is that he is burdened with many things, like having to be the team’s saviour. To play for Barcelona is one thing and in the national team another,” said Batista, Maradona’s team mate in Argentina’s 1986 World Cup-winning team and now his successor as coach.