Lucas BIGLIA has finally broken his silence over what happened in Russia while mentioning Lionel MESSI, Jorge SAMPAOLI and stating that Lionel SCALONI contacted him.

The former Argentina man has retired from the national team but spoke for the first time since the World Cup over what went on in Russia. In an interview with Radio La Red, here’s what he had to say:

“We weren’t at the top level for the World Cup in Russia. It took us a while to talk about it because what happened hurt so much. We reached the World Cup badly. We couldn’t reach an idea, we got there with knocks. With the idea of getting revenge over what happened four years earlier. We were never able to fully accomplish SAMPAOLI’s ideas.

“After the miracle against Nigeria, we got together at the training camp and we all talked together about how we should take advantage of this chance.

“France were superior to us and ended up as champions. Before anything is said, we must clarify that we were not up to the level. That’s the first thing.

“I wasn’t at the same level as I was in Brazil. And it hurt me to leave in that way.”

About his relationship with Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI and Sebastian BECCACECE, who was part of SAMPAOLI’s coaching staff:

“We had an open relationship with Jorge (SAMPAOLI) and Sebastian (BECCACECE). If something was wrong, we would try and help each other and correct it and we would all talk between us.”

In regards to Lionel MESSI:

“You guys think that MESSI doesn’t want to go to the Argentina national team. MESSI loves the national team. MESSI is at an age where you have to take care of him because no one wants him to get hurt.

“The things they say about MESSI yet he still comes and looks forward to defending the Argentina shirt. That kid is an alien. I’d like to be in his head and see what he thinks. Leo is unique.”

Talking about his former midfield partner:

“MASCHERANO was criticized unfairly and even questioned in Russia.”

BIGLIA also stated that current Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI contacted him:

“I left Russia right away to go on holiday with my family. When I was training, already in Argentina, I got a message from SCALONI asking me if I was convinced of my retirement from the Argentina national team or if I could get into his plans.”

He also spoke about his generation:

“We can’t be called a golden generation because unfortunately, we lost finals. All as silver. But we did our best to get the Argentina national team to the highest. Hopefully they’ll find a time machine to be able to go back and fix a mountain of things.

“How do you want the national team to grow when the players are made fun of?”

Talking about Angel DI MARIA’s latest injury:

“There are a lot of memes, in this case, he’s a player who is doing great things in France and has the bad luck of being injured.”