Diego Simeone has hit out at Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, accusing the player of failing to raise his game in the two games the South Americans have played in the 2018 World Cup.
Simeone said that despite the fact that Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo does not have the caliber of players Messi has around him, he (Ronaldo) has been able to lift an average Portugal team.
Messi-led Argentina is on the brink of an early World Cup exit after a 3-0 defeat to Croatia on Thursday evening.
Messi’s performance for his national team was below his usual showing for Barcelona. The forward’s display has also been in contrast to Ronaldo’s superb showings for Portugal in the tournament. Ronaldo has scored four goals in two games.
Cadena COPE quoted angry Simeone as saying, “Messi is very good but that is because he is accompanied by excellent players.
“But if you had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo for a normal team, who would you choose?”
Simeone did not only slam Messi, but coach Jorge Sampaoli who has come under fire for his tactics.
“What we saw against Croatia is the picture of what has happened over the past four years.
“It is anarchy. There is no leadership, either from the coach, who should be leading, or the players, who should be led. The team is lost, it is wrong.”
Opmerkingen