Messi says criticism will not stop him playing for Argentina

Argentina star Lionel Messi has guaranteed that he is not considering retiring from international football despite all the criticism from media and fans.

Earlier on Thursday, Julio Grondona, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), suggested Messi could stop playing for his country if all the negative remarks about him did not stop.

The Barcelona forward has now said he will not quit Argentina, though he confessed that such comments had an impact on the team.

"We suffered a lot with the criticism, although we know we were not doing things right, but at the same time they helped us, because they made us stronger as a group," Messi said at a press conference.

"Although I get criticised, I will always come to the national team. I come because I always want to play and I will not change because of what the press say,” goal.com quoted him as saying.