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Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi confessed he was embarrassed about having to go back on his decision to retire from international football.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner announced he would make himself unavailable to the national team after their penalty shoot-out loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final in 2016.
"It was a decision I made in the heat of the moment, but I was embarrassed to say I wanted to come back," Messi told DIRECTV Sports.
"El Paton [Bauza] and my team-mates made everything easier for me to return."
Se presentó el balón oficial de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2018 y el capitán de , Leo Messi, lo llevó en sus manos. November 9, 2017
When donning the Albiceleste shirt, Messi carries the weight of a nation desperate for him to bring an end to a trophy drought that has stretched for 24 years.
The Argentina captain shares a difficult relationship with supporters in his homeland, but age has helped him cope with the expectation levels.
"At 30 years old, I enjoy it in a different way and much more than before," he said.
"I take advantage of every moment, both on and off the pitch. I am experiencing this moment with the national team in a different way.
"I am more relaxed today. When they criticise me, I experience it differently."
