Lionel Messi Finally Breaks Silence
On Monday Lionel Messi broke his silence after Argentina was cast out of the World Cup in a 4-0 defeat by Germany.
Messi, 23, left South Africa without giving an interview or commenting to reporters about Argentina’s loss. The Argentina star was virtually shut out of the game, and apologized to fans saying “I feel terrible.”
“We did not fulfil the expectations of many people,” Messi admitted on his blog. The website is directed to his Chinese fans, a blog he is paid to write by a company based in Asia. The blog is translated into Mandarin as the forward has a large fan base in Asia as he has appeared in many pre-World Cup advertisements across the continent.
“I just want to go home. We played a terrible game and we will have to start again. Thank you for all your support.”
As the final whistle blew to signify the devastating defeat of the Argentinian, Messi broke down into tears. Even though he didn’t score a single goal this tournament, the striker and play-maker showed glimpses of greatness during Argentina’s earlier matches. It was disappointing he couldn’t deliver during their final match.
“To see Messi cry in the dressing room, whoever says that he doesn’t feel pride for his team is stupid,” said coach Diego Maradona. After the match concluded Maradona walked to midfield with hands jammed in his pockets, a sullen look on his face.
“I’m as disappointed as all Argentinian,” he said in a press conference after the match. The coach lacked energy or enthusiasm and wasn’t in the mood to be interviewed. “To see my country lose a football match is very hard for someone who has worn the shirt.”
Maradona helped that 1986 Argentina team win the World Cup title and took them to the final in 1990. Messi has often been compared by critics to Maradona in his younger years. In response to this characterization Messi has said: “Even when millions of years pass, I will not be even close to Maradona.”
Messi has won every possible award at the club level where he plays for FC Barcelona. Sadly, he was unable to bring Argentina to glory at the highest level of international football.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter weighed in on the issue, saying: “It’s not the questions of the best players; it’s the best players in the best teams.”
This year, Argentina was just not good enough. And unfortunately, as Blatter states: “Football remains a team sport and you can have the best starts but if they do not play as a team they will not be successful.”
Messi’s performance was notable but far below expectations. He assisted team-mates in setting up goals to help Argentina win against South Korea, Greece, and Nigeria in the group stage and against Mexico in the knock-out round. Messi also had more shots on goal than any other tournament at South Africa.
Back home in Argentina a legislator named Juan Cabandie has suggested the country erect a statue to honour Maradona regardless of their defeat.
“The Argentine people have shown that, when it comes to Maradona, the results are not important.” If a statue was commissioned Cabandie said it would pay homage to “an icon of popular Argentine culture.”
There has been uncertainty surrounding Maradona’s future as coach for the team. It has been rumoured that the ultimate decision to continue rests with Maradona.
Maradona is not only an Argentine hero, but one who footballers around the world respect. Robin van Persie, a striker for Arsenal who also plays for the Netherlands, considers Maradona a personal hero. Persie hopes he can follow in Maradona’s footsteps and win the World Cup on Sunday.
Tags: