FIFA World Cup 2018: ‘Lionel Messi will star for the good of Argentina’ | Football News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

FIFA World Cup 2018: ‘Lionel Messi will star for the good of Argentina’

Omnisport, Saint Petersburg | ByBy Dom Farrell
Jun 26, 2018 05:40 PM IST

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has endured an underwhelming FIFA World Cup so far but Jorge Sampaoli is backing him to salvage their hopes.

Lionel Messi will respond to Argentina’s hour of need in the FIFA World Cup against Nigeria on Tuesday, according to head coach Jorge Sampaoli.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina will take on Nigeria in their final group game of FIFA World Cup 2018 on Tuesday.(AFP)
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will take on Nigeria in their final group game of FIFA World Cup 2018 on Tuesday.(AFP)

Messi missed a penalty in his country’s opening 1-1 draw against Iceland in Group D and cut an increasingly forlorn figure as they unravelled to 3-0 defeat against Croatia last week.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

ALSO READ: Russia 2018 breaks FIFA World Cup penalties record as VAR drama continues to steal spotlight

It means Argentina must beat Nigeria – they have done so four times previously at World Cups – to retain any hope of the Barcelona superstar embellishing his magnificent career with the sport’s greatest prize.

“I think that match was complicated for Leo, the structure of the game didn’t favour him and he didn’t get a lot of balls from the midfield,” Sampaoli told a pre-match news conference at Krestovsky Stadium after being informed his star man enjoyed fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

“If he had the ball less than usual it’s because Argentina didn’t dominate the match as we did against Iceland.

ALSO READ: FIFA World Cup: Argentina’s struggle stem from midfield muddle

“We are going to try and improve that and we are sure that is not going to happen tomorrow.

“For the good of Argentina, I am sure Lionel Messi will be touching the ball a lot more than in our previous match.”

Sampaoli declined to confirm the identity of his starting XI but wholesale changes – including the restoration of Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria and Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain being preferred to Sergio Aguero – are expected.

One change that seems a safe bet is goalkeeper Franco Armani making his international debut in place of Caballero, whose dreadful error allowed Croatia’s Ante Rebic to open the scoring in Nizhny Novgorod.

ALSO READ: FIFA World Cup 2018: England may not be tested before knockouts

River Plate keeper Armani flanked his boss at the media briefing and offered warm consolatory words to Chelsea and former Manchester City understudy Caballero.

“I’ve been sharing my room with Willy, we’ve been sharing the training sessions and spending time together day after day,” he said.

“The situation that has arisen could have happened to any of us. All l did was give him encouragement and supported him.

“I have also had very difficult, similar situations. Those of us who are goalkeepers know how it feels.”

Armani added: “He has shown me throughout all this time that he’s a great person with a huge heart. He is a great professional

“I have given him my support and encouragement and we have to leave that episode in the past now.”

Catch all the Latest Football matches score updates alongwith EPL 2024 Schedule , ISL 2024 Schedule and other related updates on ISL 2024 Points table on The Hindustan Times website and App
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On