Sports

Argentina at risk to miss WC if Messi does not play: Menotti

Argentina is at risk of not qualifying for the World Cup if Lionel Messi does not play with the team, according to former manager Cesar Luis Menotti.Messi, 29, missed a crucial penalty in the Copa America final shootout against defending champions Chile, who also beat Argentina in the 2015 final on penalties.Following the third straight finals loss in a row for Argentina, Messi made the somewhat shock announcement that he was retiring from international football.The team’s former coach, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1978 told La Nacion: ‘There are only five teams going from South America and, without Lionel Messi, we run the risk of missing out.‘Maybe we need to start preparing for Qatar in 2022.’ Argentina is third in the qualifying table with 11 points from six matches, two points behind leaders Uruguay.