Lionel Messi has marked his return to the Argentina national team with a first half goal against Uruguay. After prematurely and emotionally announcing his international retirement following a disappointing loss in the Copa America final, Messi has return just over two months later and has found his way back on the scoresheet.
Messi gave his country a 1-0 lead just before half-time against Luis Suarez’s Uruguay with a low blast from outside of the box that took a wicked deflection. It crept past the goalkeeper after he was thrown off back the defender’s half block.
This is the first goal by Messi for Argentina since scoring a free kick against the USA in the Copa America semi-finals to break the record for most goals in his country’s history. He now leads Gabriel Batistuta by two goals on Argentina’s all-time goal scoring chart.
It appears as if he’s picked up right where he left off and hasn’t let the drama of his retirement fiasco get to his emotions.