Sampaoli ´right´ to pick others – Icardi understands Argentina snub

Inter striker Mauro Icardi holds no grudge against Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli for not selecting for him for upcoming friendlies, acknowledging others are more deserving of international recognition at the moment.

Argentina face Italy and Spain in international friendlies on March 23 and 27, with Icardi not featuring as the Albiceleste prepare for the World Cup.

An injury to Sergio Aguero appeared to offer him some hope of receiving a late call-up, but Sampaoli instead opted for Atletico Madrid forward Angel Correa.

Icardi provided Sampaoli with something of a reminder of his talents on Sunday by scoring four times in a brilliant display as Inter thrashed his former side Sampdoria 5-0 in Genoa.

 | FT Sampdoria 0-5 Inter

What  A  Performance!

Five-star Nerazzurri shine at Marassi! #SampdoriaInter #ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/xml7pFhItk

— Inter (@Inter_en) March 18, 2018

But Icardi insists he understands the coach’s reasons for leaving him out, pointing to his own injury problems as justification for his omission.

“I spoke to the coach,” Icardi told Sky Sport Italia. “I knew already that I was out [of the squad].

“I was injured for four games and it was only right that others were chosen.”

Icardi has four caps for Argentina, the most recent being against Ecuador in October as a Lionel Messi hat-trick secured their place at the World Cup.