Argentina Football Association's (AFA) outgoing president, Luis Segura spoke out on Tuesday about Lionel Messi's announcement that he's retiring from the national team - urging the star forward to change his mind.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Luis Segura, president of Argentina Football Association:

"I hope he (Lionel Messi) changes his mind. Argentina needs Messi. Messi doesn't deserve to take this decision."

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Luis Segura, president of Argentina Football Association:

"(Gerardo) Martino starts training on Monday with the national team that will play in the Olympic Games. Losing the Copa America final was for many a sporting failure, I don't see it that way because although three finals were lost, to get to play the final has a merit and Messi himself has a merit because the reason we could play those three finals is because Messi helped us."

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Luis Segura, former president of Argentina Football Association:

(on Lionel Messi's grievances with the AFA)

"When the final moment arrives and the tension is high, patience is lower. I know Messi can complain about things ... As I said the other day, if he has things to say to us, he must do it and that should be corrected but the logistics were no problems of AFA."