In a lengthy radio interview with La Oral Deportiva, Diego MARADONA spoke about a number of things including Lionel MESSI’s suspension.
Speaking on the radio, MARADONA commented on Lionel MESSI’s suspension and how he had nothing to do with it, the current state of Argentine football and more. Here’s what he had to say:
Lionel MESSI:
“The sanction to Lio (MESSI) is exagerated. In American football, they talk with their hands in front of their mouths. What happened with MESSI and the linesman was seen. MESSI’s absence was key. It’s like taking Cristiano out of Portugal… It’s a team that can be beat. With MESSI it’s one thing and without him it’s another. Lionel will go through two and gives it his all. It hurts me when they say that I had an influence in MESSI getting suspended for four matches. I swear to God I knew nothing. I started to investigate and MESSI’s sanction started in CONMEBOL. I’m going to talk to INFANTINO because it’s terrible.”
“Four matches for MESSI is a lot and while the words were harsh, for me, it looks like it can be changed. Those who say I had something to do with MESSI’s four game suspension were part of TINELLI’s group of people. It’s easier to speak with Mauricio MACRI (Argentina president) than with MESSI. I’ve called MESSI a lot of times to talk but never got a response back. MESSI’s a great guy who doesn’t complain about anything, trains… He’s like a teddy bear with his team mates.”
“I think MESSI’s words were in the heat of the moment. I compare it to the headbutt by ZIDANE to MATERAZZI. Without MESSI, Argentina’s qualification to the World Cup is very complicated. To those who say I had something to do with MESSI getting the four game suspension, I want to clarify that I will speak to INFANTINO.”
The matches against Bolivia:
“I lost 6-1 in La Paz… I thought the team would go out there and run but they stayed still the entire match. Playing at altitude is not easy. Bolivia played a good match on a horrible pitch. Today, Argentina are in the playoffs and Argentine football is not on the rise. They played poorly in Bolivia. BAUZA will have to work on it. Against Bolivia, the Argentine shirt was black: No responsibility, played without heart.”
The Argentina shirt:
“Regarding those wearing it, we’re worried about the feeling they have wearing the Argentina shirt. When we would wear the Argentina shirt, we had it tattoo’d onto us. Yesterday we were the All Blacks (rugby team) and not a football team. When Luis ISLA and I put on the Argentina shirt, it didn’t change colors. It wasn’t black. We have good players, enough to form a team to properly represent Argentina. Today, Argentina is a flat, dead end team with defenders who get exposed and a midfield who doesn’t cover. It’s not possible that MESSI, AGUERO, ROMERO or OTAMENDI don’t play with Argentina the same way they play with their clubs. Argentina has to defend the prestige it has had since MENOTTI. It has cost us a lot to be recognized in the world.”
“With Boca, RONACGLIA would win headers… And yesterday, he stood still in the middle of the rain. ROMERO is a sensational goalkeeper… But yesterday on the second goal, he should have put his chest out and gone for it. BAUZA has to continue. Don’t doubt me on that.”
“It’s not that travelling changes your head: The players in Europe are the same ones that play in Argentina. Playing in Argentina meant representing my mother, my father and the Argentine’s who eat once a day and not twice a day. I’ll never betray my flag and spit on the Argentina shirt.”
Edgardo BAUZA and the AFA:
“BAUZA was wrong in changing Argentina just like at one time BIANCHI, MENOTTI or BILARDO were wrong. After the 6-1 in La Paz, the players told me that we were going to qualify… I don’t know if that was the case yesterday with BAUZA. Meeting a coach in Argentine football is difficult. I don’t know if BAUZA is supported or not.”
“I don’t agree with TINELLI nor VERON regarding the new AFA. Neither TINELLI nor VERON can find solutions to what’s going on in Argentina. If they hold an election and it’s a draw… We’re left being ridiculed in front of the entire world. VERON doesn’t know if he’s president, coach, footballer or entrepreneur.”
“Who are they going to put as Argentina coach now? Argentine’s a hot iron… Today it’s BAUZA and he has to go endure it.”
“I want to speak to Chiqui TAPIA (new AFA president) as soon as possible.”
“I’m going to meet with INFANTINO in Bahrain and as always, I’ll tell him what I think.”
