"I was very sad because Maradona could not see how we won the World Cup"

Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi said he felt "sorry" that Diego Armando Maradona would not have been able to enjoy watching the 'Albiceleste' lift the World Cup in Qatar 2022. "It made me very sad that he could not live what we lived because I know how he felt about the Argentina national team," said the Inter Miami player in an interview with the 'ESPN' network.

Regarding his relationship with 'El Pelusa', the Rosarino said that, beyond what some people claimed, both had a lot of esteem for each other and stressed that Maradona was always an idol of football worldwide. "He loved me very much and I loved him even though many things have been said in between. We both knew what we felt," said the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player.

The team led by the Argentine star fondly remembers that experience in Qatar, which led to the third star on the national jersey and also attracted millions of people to celebrate the long-awaited title at the famous Obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio in Buenos Aires.

"We lived a World Cup together," Messi recalled. "Beyond the result, it was an unforgettable experience. I was very well and enjoyed being the coach of the National Team," he said recalling the times when Maradona was the coach of the 'Albiceleste' (2008-2010).

The Argentine now faces the challenge of defending the Copa America won in 2021 in Brazil, a tournament that kicks off on June 20th in the United States and in which Argentina starts as the top favorite after a great performance in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Regarding the possibility of seeing the striker defending Argentina's jersey again at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Messi confirmed that he had already spoken with the coach of the U-23 team, former player Javier Mascherano, and announced that he would not be in the team that will seek the gold medal that the national team already won in 2004 and 2008. "I spoke with 'Masche' and the truth is that we both understood the situation," he said.

 

June 12, 2024