Lionel Messi statue unveiled in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Amidst 'Don't Go Lio' Campaign.. See Photos

In the midst of the turmoil, the Buenos Aires city hall unveiled a statue of Messi – with a football at his feet – alongside other national sports stars.

The President of Argentina on Tuesday said that he hopes to meet Lionel Messi next week to convince him to return to the national team.

President Mauricio Macri said he has already spoken over the telephone to Messi, who announced his shock retirement from the Argentine national team following the loss on Sunday to Chile in penalty kicks in the Copa America final in the United States.

Messi, who returned to Argentina on Monday, has chosen not to speak publicly yet.

President Mauricio 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 of his failure to deliver a major title for his country – in contrast to his repeated success at Barcelona.

He is often unfavourably compared to Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title.
Macri, however, said that he didn’t understand why Messi was the target of such criticism

An overwhelming number of sports figures, artists and politicians have spoken out on social media, urging Messi to review his resignation. Billboards and signs reading No Te Vayas Lio or Don’t Go Lio across the city are also asking the Argentinian star to stay.

In another show of support, some members of Argentina's 1986 World Cup team posed for a photograph that contained a written plea: 'Don't Go Lio.'

It's four finals already, it's not for me. I worked so hard for it. It was the thing I wanted more than anything. But it just wasn't to be.

Maradona, the biggest star on that team, was not in the photo.

TV commentators have speculated that Messi spoke out in frustration after Sunday's 4-2 loss on penalties to Chile.

'The national team is over for me,' Messi told Argentine network TyC Sports. 'It's been four finals, it's not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over.'

It didn't help that Messi himself lifted Argentina's 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 year's Copa final to host Chile on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw