decision to quit the national
and his Barcelona team-mate is happy
to see him back in the squad.
Javier Mascherano believes Lionel
Messi's short-lived international
retirement was born of
frustration rather than any lack of desire to play for
Argentina.
"Leo felt very frustrated after the
final defeat. We all had our heads
in other places. It's very hard to
pick yourself up after three final
defeats in a row," said
Mascherano.
"I don't think Leo said 100 per
cent that he was leaving, he was
just very frustrated. But after
thinking about things I think he
realised he still has a lot to bring
to the team and the country.
"He's perhaps not that used to
losing because he's had such a
fabulous career, but it's part of
life in sport.
"Obviously there is a new coach,
he needs to pick up points in the
qualifiers. We've got six key
games and we really need to get
the points. He needs to make
sure we get the simple things
right and improve the things he
thinks we need to.
"We haven't won a title for so
many years but we've always
been competitive."
Mascherano believes Messi still has great things to offer Barcelona.
"It's the same every year. Leo is a
very special player and we say
every season that he looks more
motivated than the season
before. "He's
looked motivated for the 10
years he's been here.
"He sets himself targets like any
other player. It's not more or less
than before, just different
challenges. He's come back this
year with the ambition of
winning not only what we won
last year, but to get further in the
Champions League.
"I'm happy that he's happy.
That's the most important thing."
Mascherano also said he is enjoying his time at Camp Nou.
"It wasn't a question of being
appreciated, I've always felt that.
I've got no complaints at all
about my six years of treatment
at the club.
"But after all this time, you do
start thinking if you can continue
to play at this level, if it's worth it,
if you can meet the demands of
the club.
"At the end of last season I did
reconsider a few things, I think
people know that. But I'm
grateful to the club that they still
want me here. I think I can still
do things."
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