Argentina coach Tata Martino has jumped to the defence of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
It's been claimed Messi will refuse selection with Argentina for any friendlies this season after the criticism he received following the Copa America final defeat to Chile.
Martino, formerly Barca coach, has great sympathy for Messi.
"If I were Messi, I would have given up," he barked.
"Nobody has said that Leo will not play friendlies. Why this is an issue I do not know why, and now we have to go out and explain something that is no news."
Argentine basketball star Manu Ginobili hit out at the coverage of Messi last month.
Martino agreed, saying: "Argentine journalism should reflect on what Ginobili said because if this continues he (Messi) will not appear."