Lionel Messi is reportedly hurt by the criticism about his commitment to Argentina, but the superstar forward has no plans to stop playing for his country's football team.

Julio Ricardo Grondona, president of Argentine league club Arsenal, said on Thursday that Messi was hurt after fans questioned his commitment to the national squad following his decision to skip a recent friendly against Germany.

The Arsenal club president insisted, however, that Messi will continue playing for Argentina in honor of his father -- former FIFA vice president Julio Grondona.

"It's true that Leo is a bit hurt by the criticism and the things that were said," Julio Ricardo Grondona said via ESPN FC. "That's why one of the requests we have made is that he return in honor of my father."

Grondona also added that Messi was just forced to sit out in their 2014 World Cup final rematch against Germany to rest an adductor muscle injury.

Messi, who won the Golden Ball award in the Brazil tournament, is expected to miss several friendlies as requested by his mother club, FC Barcelona, but the 27-year-old forward will play in important matches, including the Copa America in Chile next year.

"It is a just a matter of time before he returns," Grondona said. "Leo has to rest for future matches."

Javier Mascherano also came into Messi's defense recently, saying that Argentine fans should stop questioning Messi, who has been very committed to national team since his senior team debut in 2005.

"We Argentines must learn to look after our idols," Mascherano said. "Players like Messi come along every 50 years. If we do not know how to enjoy it, that is a pity. Messi was always the first to come with the national team and it will stay like that."

Mascherano, who is also a club teammate of the four-time Ballon d'Or winner, said that Messi wanted to play during the friendly, but he opted out sit out because he is not 100 percent healthy.

"Maybe if the game was in three or four days he would have played it," Mascherano added. "A friendly was not worth taking a risk for. He is very committed, we cannot apologize for something which has not happened."

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