Argentina coach Gerardo Martino regrets saying he would have retired from international football if he were in Lionel Messi's position.
Barcelona star Messi, a four-time Ballon d'Or winner, has won every available trophy for Barca but has yet to win a trophy with the senior Argentina side.
The 28-year-old was criticised by some in the Argentine media following his team's penalty shootout defeat to hosts Chile in this summer's Copa America final, with even his former Albiceleste coach Diego Maradona questioning his performances.
Martino, who also coached Messi at Barca, said earlier this month that he "would have stopped playing with the national team a long time ago" if he had faced such criticism, but he has now told TYC Sports he regrets the comment, even if his personal opinion has not changed.
"It was something imprudent," Martino said. "I should not have said it. It is my opinion, but I should not have said it out loud."
Despite rumours that Messi might be given a rest from international football, he has been named in the squad for the team's upcoming friendly games against Bolivia on Friday Sept. 4 in Houston, and against Mexico four days later in Arlington.
There have been suggestions that Messi might feign an injury and withdraw from the squad, but Martino said he had not felt the need to call Messi personally to ensure he would travel for the games.
"I never do that," he said. "I have to make a list, based on the players I have, and then I expect the players to come."
Martino also said that he was looking forward to seeing Messi line up alongside Carlos Tevez in the games, with the pair having rarely played together for Argentina through recent years for a variety of reasons.
"It is difficult for them to understand each other week as they have almost never played together," he said.