Argentina’s Angel DI MARIA gave an interview with SC.QA and spoke about a few topics.
While on a recent winter training camp in Doha, Qatar, the Argentinian spoke with www.sc.qa about the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Lionel MESSI. Regarding the 2022 World Cup which will be held in Qatar, the PSG man had this to say:
“It will be a very important World Cup. The stadiums are very impressive and I know the tournament will be a big boost for the Arab world. I have been to Doha a few times, and every time, I have been received very well, both on a personal level and with the team.”
Regarding Qatar’s plans to have a “compact” World Cup with less travelling, DI MARIA, now a veteran of two World Cup’s, gave his thoughts on it:
“I have played in World Cups in countries which are very big and having to take long journeys is difficult and complicated for the team. It is very important to have a compact World Cup, as it will be a lot more comfortable for the players.”
Argentina’s already tasted glory in Qatar, having won the 1995 U20 World Cup with coach Jose PEKERMAN and Juan Pablo SORIN on the team.
“I hope we can repeat the success of 1995. We have the World Cup coming up this year, which we can aim to win, and if we win in Russia, hopefully we can win in Qatar as well.”

Regarding the 2018 FIFA World Cup:
“Argentina is always one of the favourites, first of all because we have Lionel MESSI. There are other teams playing at a high level, like Spain and France, but Argentina is among the best. We have to keep working hard to remain at the top level. World Cup tournaments are always different to the qualifying rounds. If you don’t win, you go home, and that makes the games very special.”
DI MARIA also praised Lionel MESSI, calling him the best player in history.
“MESSI is already the greatest. Winning the World Cup would validate him, but he is already the best. Hopefully, football will give Messi this World Cup – it would be good for everyone. MESSI has achieved everything in his career – the only thing missing is a World Cup. Obviously, as an Argentine and a team-mate of his, I would love for it to happen in Russia.”