Lionel Messi to play in friendly match against Mexico

Mexico City: Argentine star Lionel Messi will play the friendly match against Mexico, media reported.

Messi, the forward in Spain's Barcelona, has not said he will not be available to play the friendly game against Mexico on September 8, Xinhua quoted Gerardo "Tata" Martino, coach of Argentina's national soccer team, as saying on Monday.

After losing Copa America's final game, Messi said he would detach for a while from Argentina's national soccer team.

But "Tata" told Mexico's sports daily Records that Messi has not confirmed he will not be available.

"Messi has not rejected to play the friendly match (against Mexico). We will see next week when the player list will be spread," said Martino.

Martino also defended Messi from strong criticism.

"I should not discuss about Messi, but I think his participation in the national team was, by far, the best thing of Copa America. Before the World Cup 1986, (Diego Armando) Maradona faced the same situation. I would be very disappointed if Messi does not play more in the national team," he said.