Roberto Ayala spoke about the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

Ayala is part of the Argentina national team staff and was part of the staff which won the 2021 Copa America. Speaking with Radio La Red, he commented on the possibility of playing European teams and he also spoke about the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. In regards to the list of players for the World Cup possibly being more than 23, here is what he had to say:

“There is talk of it being 26, we still don’t know. You know that it will be unfair to some people, you work with an important group of players and not all of them are going to be fortunate enough to go. If there’s more places, it will be good. You will have more solutions and less long faces.”

In regards to having more players in midfield:

“It’s a place where we would like to look at. I would say from there to the front. They are different characteristics.”

He also spoke about Lionel Messi and stated that “Here, he disconnects” from the atmosphere in Paris.

“A very nice group has been created. They’re enjoying it. The trainings come out the way we want them to. It becomes easy because they make it easy for us. There are no long faces. They are always anxious to be there.

“For many, he is the idol and he is by their side. He wants to be treated like another one of the boys. Here, things go well. He is well, he’s enjoying it. I see him as a leader, not just on the pitch but with small gestures. That means a lot to us.”

The Argentine also spoke about Diego Maradona:

“Every time I have to talk about Diego, I get a lump in my throat. For us, he was a benchmark. What I wouldn’t give for him to give the talk prior to the start of the World Cup in Qatar.

“Maradona could criticize you the day before but you would sit next to him and you would still be stunned. Talking about Diego always excites you.”

Roberto Ayala spoke in an interview about the Argentina national team about the possibility of Argentina playing European countries and the World Cup.

Ayala, who played over 100 matches for the Argentina national team is currently on the national team coaching staff. He was part of the staff which won the 2021 Copa America along with former team mates Lionel Scaloni, Walter Samuel and Pablo Aimar.

However, now as part of the staff, Ayala is working towards the 2022 Qatar World Cup. And part of that is possibly playing European countries. Speaking in an interview with Radio La Red, here is what he had to say about playing European teams:

“It would help us. It is what it is. In the future, that will change. I believe Argentina will be called to the UEFA Nations League, which was set up for them to play against each other… Later on, we will be able to participate. We aim for the players to arrive in good conditions.”

A veteran of three FIFA World Cups, Ayala also spoke about which countries he would like to avoid at the 2022 Qatar World Cup:

“France or Spain. They are two national teams I wouldn’t like (to play)… It would be a great final, a beautiful one. Germany too, obviously. If you want to lift this cup, you have to win against them all. Hopefully we can grow.”

He also mentioned that any of the “big teams” are dangerous at the World Cup. He said that England have “their youth” and Belgium too.”