Bauza travels to Spain 'to talk to both Messi and Mascherano'

Edgardo Bauza is in Europe, ready to begin his first mission as Argentina's manager.

On Wednesday, after arriving in Spain, Bauza reaffirmed he will talk to Lionel Messi, whose international future is clouded by uncertainty following the Copa America Centenario. The Argentinian phenom skied a penalty kick as Chile defeated Argentina on penalties in the tournament's final for the second year in a row, and he subsequently suggested he may not represent La Albiceleste again, saying: "In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it's not for me."

Whether Messi returns to Argentina's squad remains to be seen, but Bauza is "optimistic" about his trip.

"The sensations are good because I will talk about football, a language we both know," Bauza said, according to the Guardian. "That talk will lead to a decision but I've not come to convince Messi, I've come to talk about football. He can tell me his frustration and I can express to him the idea that I have of the national team, so he feels comfortable.

"I'm here to talk to both Messi and Javier Mascherano and if I have time I'll be travelling to another destination. I'm optimistic by nature."

Mascherano was also said to be contemplating international retirement after the Copa America Centenario, which marked the third tournament in three years where Argentina lost the final.

Of note, Bauza and Messi hail from the same region. "El Paton" was born in Baigorria, Argentina, a city directly north of Rosario, Argentina, where the planet's top footballer entered the world.

Argentina's next fixture goes Sept. 1, when La Albiceleste hosts Uruguay in 2018 World Cup qualifying.