Argentina coach hails Lionel Messi after win over Brazil
Argentina head coach Sergio Batista has hailed Lionel Messi after his side's 1-0 international friendly win over Brazil in Qatar on Wednesday 17 November.
The Barcelona attacker was the difference-maker as he scored a trademark goal in the second minute of injury-time. The reigning FIFA World Player of the Year ghosted past several Brazil defenders before squeezing in a tight shot past Brazil keeper Victor Bagy.
The victory brings an end to a five-year winless run against their South American rivals, and Batista had nothing but praise for his star player after the game.
He told reporters that: "Luckily we have the best player in the world. Messi is everything for the Seleccion, we will not find anyone better. In the last minutes he showed that he is the best. He always has something, even if we have to wait until the game's
end. He is a very important player for the group. They listen to him in all the meetings, and he showed his importance with a goal in the last play of the match."
The win also means that Batista has maintained his strong start to life as national team coach since taking over from Diego Maradona after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The 1986 World Cup winner has also led his men to a 1-0 victory over Ireland and a 4-1 triumph
over world champions Spain, with a 1-0 defeat to Japan the only blip.
He declared himself pleased with the result, and admitted it was a boost as Argentina work towards a serious challenge for the 2014 World Cup.
Batista said that: “This result leaves me for now working contentedly towards our objective, which is the 2014 World Cup. There are other priorities though besides the outcome that was great. It makes me very happy, happy to see the will to beat Brazil and
any other team. This game however was wanted by everyone. Messi showed it on the field with his attitude, that is why he celebrated as he did."
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