Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia hopes that Lionel Messi will take it easy over the next few months in anticipation of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, revealing that he has asked Barcelona to reduce its reliance on its star man in order to keep Messi fit and healthy for the summer’s affair.
Messi has played a part in all of Barcelona’s La Liga and Champions League fixtures this season, while also figuring in five Copa del Rey tilts. The workload isn’t unusual for the 30-year-old, though it is somewhat concerning for Jorge Sampaoli’s side – Argentina will need Messi in tip-top shape in hopes of repeating an appearance in the World Cup final, though with a better outcome.
“We hope all the players arrive at the level they are at, which is very high,” Tapia told TyC Sports, as translated by ESPN FC’s Adriana Garcia.
“(Sergio) Aguero‘s (level) is terrific and Messi is always there, high up. This is important for us, the executives, and the coaching staff to see the level that (Messi) is at.
“With Messi, we spoke about looking after him, playing less than he has, and if …read more