New Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli believes getting the best out of Lionel Messi and reaching the 2018 World Cup are his utmost aims in the role.
Sampaoli, 57, has taken over as coach of his home country after leaving Spanish club Sevilla after just one season.
Barcelona forward Messi, 29, announced to retire from international football in June 2016 before taking it back two months later.
“I spoke with Leo and we’re both excited,” said Sampaoli.
“It’s a boost for us to see how excited he is with this new stage (for Argentina).”
Messi has scored 58 goals in 117 appearances for Argentina yet the 1978 and 1986 world champions currently sit outside an automatic qualifying spot for next year’s World Cup in Russia after six wins in 14 qualifying games.
Their last four qualifiers are against Uruguay (away) on 31 August, Venezuela (home) on 5 September, Peru (home) on 5 October and Ecuador (away) on 10 October.
“The South American qualifiers are very complicated. There are some very good teams trying to do the same thing as us,” added Sampaoli, who has signed a deal until the 2022 World Cup.
Argentina sacked Edgardo Bauza in April after just eight matches as coach.
