Head coach of Argentina, Jorge Sampaoli, has said that Lionel Messi “is the only undisputed starter”, as they face a must-win World Cup qualifier on August 31 against Uruguay.
“I have had the good fortune to arrive with the national team at the time that Messi’s ban was lifted,” Sampaoli said during a news conference on Tuesday.
“We have the best player in the world [in Messi]. From him the team is born.”
Argentina are currently fifth in their qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup.
Only the top four sides will qualify directly for the tournament that is to be staged in Russia.
Sampaoli said that he will count on Messi to “shoot to the middle” or “to the right toward the middle” and seek out “players who will help his potential,” to defeat Uruguay on their home turf.
“To leave Messi alone at this moment is a mistake. We need to surround him with the best players possible,” he said, while acknowledging that “there are no players who have more privilege than others” with the exception of Messi.
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