Lionel Messi does not put Argentina forward as one of the main contenders to win the World Cup in Qatar this winter. Neighboring Brazil, like France, is credited with greater opportunities by the star player of Paris Saint-Germain. In an extensive interview, Messi also looks back on important moments and people in his career. So has la Pulga words of praise for Josep Guardiola, among others.
“I think France, even if they have to deal with some key injured players, has fantastic potential,” said Messi. Universe Valdano on the Spanish Movistar Plus. “They have so many good players and a national coach (Didier Deschamps, ed.) Who has been working with the same group for a long time and has won a World Cup.” Brazil is also among the title favorites by Messi. “It’s a team with a lot of quality and a lot of dangerous players, like Neymar.”
Messi believes that no country should be underestimated at the World Cup. “Nowadays every country at the World Cup is difficult to beat. We haven’t played much against European countries, although they don’t like to practice against South American countries either. We think step by step and should not let ourselves be forced into the role of title favourite. We have a very good team that is eager, but we know that group stages are never easy.” Argentina is placed in a group with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.
The Argentine star player enjoyed four extremely successful seasons under Guardiola at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012. Messi is disappointed that he no longer enjoyed it at the time. “You’re in the middle of it day after day and you don’t realize it,” says the Argentinian star player. “How Guardiola prepared the games, how the opponent would play, etcetera. We executed his tactics so easily and it was so natural that we didn’t realize what we were doing.”
As time passes, Messi realizes that it was something unique. “Guardiola really changed football because he made it look so easy and everyone wanted to copy it. He is the best trainer, hands down. He has something special, how he saw the game, prepared and communicated to us. I always enjoyed being on the ball and playing with Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. It made everything so much easier,” said Messi.