BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- The president of Argentina said Tuesday he hopes to meet Lionel Messi next week and convince him to return to the national team.President Mauricio Macri said he had spoken by telephone with Messi, who announced his shock retirement from the Argentine national team following the loss Sunday to Chile on penalty kicks in the Copa America final in the United States.Messi returned Monday to Argentina, but has not spoken publicly.Macri said he told Messi to ignore some of the nonsense because, truth be told, we are all very happy with how the Barcelona star has played for Argentina.Messi, who moved to Barcelona at age 13, has often faced tough criticism in Argentina because he has failed to deliver the country a major title -- in contrast to his repeated success at Barcelona.He is often compared unfavorably to Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title.Macri said he didnt understand the criticism of Messi.The truth is that its good fortune, a joy, a gift from God to have the best player in the world in a country like ours that is so football-crazy, said Macri, a former president of Argentine club Boca Juniors.Macris lobbying could be helped by a gathering planned Saturday at the obelisk in central Buenos Aires, the citys most famous landmark.Support for Messi has been overwhelming on social media with sports figures, artists and politicians urging him to return. Billboards and signs across the city are also asking him to stay.In the midst of the turmoil, the Buenos Aires city hall unveiled a statue of Messi -- with a football at his foot -- alongside other national sports stars.In another show of support, some members of Argentinas 1986 World Cup team posed for a photograph that contained a written plea: Dont Go Lio.Maradona, the biggest star on that team, was not in the photo.TV commentators have speculated that Messi spoke out in frustration after Sundays 4-2 loss on penalties to Chile following a scoreless draw.The national team is over for me, Messi told Argentine network TyC Sports. Its been four finals, its not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldnt get it, so I think its over.It didnt help that Messi himself lifted Argentinas first penalty kick over the crossbar, setting the stage for another final defeat. Messi and Argentina lost to Brazil in the 2007 Copa final and to Germany in extra time in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil. They lost last years Copa final to host Chile on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. Cheap Adidas Gazelle Wholesale . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Adidas Stan Smith Trainers Uk . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. http://www.yeezytrainersuk.com/ . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Cheap Yeezy Boost Uk . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. Buy Adidas Superstar Online . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Melbourne Vixens Madi Robinson and Southern Steels Jhaniele Fowler-Reid have been named MVPs for their respective conferences of the trans-Tasman netball league.Wing attack Robinson played every match for the Vixens in 2016, creating the most goal assists and receiving the most centre passes of any player in any Australian team.She is tthe first Vixens player to receive the accolade.ddddddddddddMeanwhile, the New Zealand award for Fowler-Reid sees her become just the second player to claim three MVP awards after her rookie season in 2013. ' ' '