Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola insists that Argentina star Lionel Messi is mentally strong enough to deal with the potential blow of failing to qualify for next summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Guardiola also said he had no problems including Messi in the squad for the trip to Getafe.
"Messi is in the squad because he is physically fit. He is a little down, but okay," Guardiola said to El Mundo Deportivo.
The 22-year-old Argentinian is said to be disappointed by the possibility of Argentina missing out on a place at the World Cup in South Africa next summer. Their cause hasn't been helped by two successive defeats, to fierce rivals Brazil and Paraguay in their last two qualifiers.
Guardiola believes that although Messi is disappointed, playing football agian is the ideal remedy.
"He loves his country very much and wants to play in the World Cup with Argentina. Such a tragedy would not affect him, but Leo's best feature is his mental strength. Football always presents fresh opportunities and lets see how he plays tomorrow," added the Blaugrana coach.
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