<img title="Lionel Messi" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/sep/03messi.jpg" alt="Lionel Messi" /> Argentina&rsquo;s Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against Uruguay during the World Cup qualifier in Mendoza, Argentina on Thursday. Pic/AFP
Montevideo: Lionel Messi scored the winning goal on his return from a short-lived international retirement on Thursday as Argentina defeated Uruguay to take control of South America's 2018 World Cup qualifying race.
Messi had stunned the world in June after vowing to never play for Argentina again following a defeat to Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario.
But that tearful farewell was a distant memory at Mendoza&rsquo;s as the Barcelona superstar orchestrated a 1-0 victory over the two-time World Cup winners.
Messi, showing no sign of the groin injury, which had placed a question mark against his participation, lashed home the winner on 42 minutes, with his low shot taking a wicked deflection to deceive Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at the near post.
Afterwards Messi paid tribute to the rapturous applause he received throughout. In the dying minutes one young fan sprinted onto the pitch and nearly flattened the five-time world footballer of the year with a congratulatory hug.
"I am grateful to the people for the treatment, for the love," Messi said, insisting his retirement announcement in June was genuine.
&ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t trying to cheat anyone, I said what I felt. (Now) I feel happy,&rdquo; Messi said.

Lionel Messi scored the winning goal on his return from a short-lived international retirement on Thursday as Argentina defeated Uruguay to take control of South America&rsquo;s 2018 World Cup qualifying race

I wasn't cheating anyone, says Argentina's Lionel Messi

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Lionel Messi scored the winning goal on his return from a short-lived international retirement on Thursday as Argentina defeated Uruguay to take control of South America&rsquo;s 2018 World Cup qualifying race

I wasn't cheating anyone, says Argentina's Lionel Messi

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I wasn't cheating anyone, says Argentina's Lionel Messi

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