By Kayode Ogundare in Uyo:
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has run the rule over Argentina’s opponents at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and declared that none of them will be capable of stopping superstar Lionel Messi who is desperate for a winners’ medal as he gradually winds down his playing career Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
Simeone, himself an accomplished former Argentine international midfieder, made this known at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday moments after leading his team to a 3-2 victory over Nigeria’s Super Eagles Team B in the GOtv Max Cup friendly.
“Lionel Messi is a special player. He’s difficult to stop if he’s in good shape and he wants to win the World Cup before retiring so I don’t see any of the teams stopping him. But good luck to all the teams going to the World Cup,” the Atletico coach said.
Simeone also praised the valiant effort of the Nigerian team which he claimed surprised him, given the fact that this was not the main Nigerian time.
He said: “Your team is good. Very strong. They made the game difficult for us. Good luck to them.”
Simeone was a member of the Argentina team which lost the final of the football final to Nigeria at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
COMMENTS
We shall see naa…..
We shall see.
Ok o. This man thinks Argentina is Athletico Madrid abi? What in effect he is saying is that Athletico Madrid could not stop Messi? If Athletico Madrid could stop Messi, if Roma could stop Messi, Iceland will stop Messi. Then reality check will be staring at Messi when Croatia stop Messi. By the time he play Nigeria, he will be so frustrated. Just be talking in support of your country.
who told you that nigerian can stop messi no body can stop him ,you why is he is the GOD Soccer
Kelechi nwakali should be invited to super Eagles team without further delay! Sublime and magical passes, a stunning and screamer goal getter. Coach Rohr hmmmm, kelechi is the truth because you and pinnick amaju can’t hid this talented player while uche agbo and mikel Agu are on our world cup list. Kelechi is better than Agbo and Agu mikel even john ogu. So Coach Rohr pls call him up with immediate effect please. It shows our so called scouts have been lazing about in Europe if they couldn’t spot real talent like kelechi. BEFORE nko
In all his football carrier he has not realized football is not mathematics. On the day of the game his ‘almighty’ Messi may ‘switch off’ while his ‘angels’ will not able to take instructions. What does he think can happen on such a day? It is better we are seen as underdogs going into the tournament. His Argentina may end up not qualifying from the group. I am happy over-confidence is already building in the camp of the Argentines. God help us.
A statement out of tune with reality, with all the trappings of arrogance … as if other players are going to Russia as onlookers. Good thing, they’re pilling unnecessary pressures on Messi and sharpening the determination of his opponents to cage him. Wait and see Iceland and Nigeria go through.
@bestsports the spot nwakali is vying for is already packed moreso those other players u mentioned are nt in the starting IX and they are likely to be axed from the premilinary squad. lets just support the coach decision and hope for success.
#soarsupereagles
what do you expect from him?
..afterall, he is an argentine!
I don’t know who will win this World Cup, but I can assure you it is not Argentina. Messi is a great player, but he will end his career without winning the World Cup. What arrogance! They think Messi is a God. Didn’t he play in previous editions of the competition? Why didn’t they win it? This may well be the first time we will beat them in a competitive game because of their arrogance and over dependence on Messi.
“Simeone also praised the valiant effort of the Nigerian team which he claimed surprised him, given the fact that this was not the main Nigerian time.”
You can see the pain.
Also, i’m sure he doesn’t know that that is a Team B he played against.
argentina wont win d world cup or even advance from d group stage..if d re goin to russia only to b dependent on messi
We stopped messi so you dont know what your on about simeone you just wnat that national coaching job