Argentina captain Lionel MESSI addressed his future with the Argentina national team while also talking about the kids on the team.
The veteran and leader of this Argentina team, there’s been lots of speculation about his future in the squad and MESSI spoke about it after his team’s match against Brazil. Here’s what he had to say:
“It’s the start of something new, beautiful. A good group is coming, it’s important, they showed at this Copa that they love the Argentina national team and that there is a future. I found myself fitting in well with the group. If I have to help out somehow, I’ll do it.
“Hopefully they respect these kids because they did a huge job, a very big sacrifice. They are the future and we could be calm because Argentina is going to continue to grow.”
Lionel MESSI was very critical of the officiating which took place during Argentina’s game against Brazil at the Copa America.
Despite himself and the team playing their best game against Brazil at the Copa America, they found themselves eliminated and having to play a third place match. However, MESSI took to the media following the game to talk about the team and the referees. Here’s what he had to say:
“It unsettles you. They are plays that take you out of the game. You see that the referee is not being fair. They never went to VAR. The referees called a lot of bullshit but they didn’t check VAR. It’s incredible. It was like that the entire game. There was a lack of respect from the referees towards us.
“It’s something that has to be looked at and hopefully CONMEBOL can do something about this kind of officiating. The second goal came from a penalty they didn’t award.
“We played our best game of the Copa America. They were never superior to us.
“It angers you because we did very well. They are clear plays that were never looked at, that didn’t go to VAR. They saw bullshit hand calls, bullshit fouls, bullshit penalties… And today, they didn’t go to VAR.”
Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI hit out at the referee while also speaking about his team.
It was a heartbreaking loss for Argentina but coach Lionel SCALONI is taking nothing away from his team and did not hold back regarding the referee. Speaking to the media after the match, here’s what he had to say:
“I didn’t like the referee. He was not up to the level for a match of this caliber. The small plays (calls) always went the other way. The linesmen and the fourth official kept telling TAGLIAFICO that he was already cautioned. He had to stop playing and if something were to happen, a decision would have been made.”
Lionel SCALONI thinks the second goal should have been called off:
“It was a play where we had a player (Sergio AGUERO) on the ground, he felt a hit and FOYTH stopped. It’s why I went crazy. The second goal should have been called off.”
SCALONI also spoke about the team:
“If it was based on merit, Argentina would have gone through to the final. It was the best match we played in terms of the level of the opponent, because we created a lot and we suffered very little. Brazil is in the final, they did their thing but in terms of play, Argentina deserve to play the final and we are talking about something else. Sergio’s (AGUERO) chance which hit the crossbar and didn’t go in, Leo’s (MESSI) post… Luck was not on our side. I believe we were superior.
“No doubt, today, this group showed that they feel the shirt. I think we left an image for the future of the Argentina national team and it’s a good road to continue. To play on that pitch, in those conditions, against a superior opponent… It means nothing because we’re not playing the final but if we take into consideration what we did today, everything that will come will be positive.”
Argentina played their best match at the Copa America but lost 2-0 to hosts Brazil.
It was a heartbreaking match for Argentina. After Brazil had scored in the first half following some great play by Dani ALVES, Argentina picked up the pace and started playing considerably better. Despite Brazil pressuring a lot and seeing much of the ball, Lionel MESSI slowly started creeping into the match and taking over. Lionel SCALONI’s team had one chance in the first half, a Lionel MESSI free kick which found the head of Sergio AGUERO but his effort hit the crossbar.
The referee was strict, whistling at every opportunity and more often than not, in favor of the Brazilians.
By the start of the second half, Argentina started gaining momentum and chances. After a nice sequence of play, Lionel MESSI hit the post. SCALONI’s team kept growing in confidence but were also exposed in the back. Next game the second goal but not without controversy.
A lovely play involving Lionel MESSI, Sergio AGUERO and Lautaro MARTINEZ saw AGUERO run inside the penalty area but get tripped up by Dani Alves. Juan FOYTH was convinced there was a penalty and appeared to stop playing. However, the referee didn’t whistle, didn’t go to VAR and Brazil would go on to score through a counter attack.
Another penalty or at the very least a VAR shout was denied for Argentina. A corner kick was sent into the area and Nicolas OTAMENDI was clearly elbowed in the throat. The play continued and was eventually stopped. Replays showed that OTAMENDI was indeed elbowed but no VAR on the play.
There is still the third place match which takes place on Saturday against the loser of Chile and Peru.
Clear pen against Aguero not given before Brazil scored its second goal. Argentina got absolutely robbed. pic.twitter.com/GeVuPvX0Fx
— Matias Wodner, First of His Name (@matiwod) July 3, 2019
Second clear pen, this time against Otamendi. CONMEBOL has rigged this Copa America for Brazil. A total football travesty. pic.twitter.com/9dHS7AmwG6
— Matias Wodner, First of His Name (@matiwod) July 3, 2019
The attacking trio all start for Argentina in the semi-finals of the Copa America.
Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI has repeated the same line-up for the first time as the attack will be lead by Lionel MESSI, Sergio AGUERO and Lautaro MARTINEZ. Here’s the starting eleven:
