Argentina are at risk of not qualifying for the World Cup if Lionel Messi does not play with the team, according to former manager Cesar Luis Menotti.
Messi, 29, missed a crucial penalty in the Copa America final shootout against defending champions Chile, who also beat Argentina in the 2015 final on penalties.
Following the the third straight finals loss in a row for Argentina, Messi made the somewhat shock announcement that he was retiring from international football.
The team's former coach, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1978 told La Nacion: "There are only five teams going from South America and, without Lionel Messi, we run the risk of missing out.