Emiliano Martinez gave an interview where he spoke about working with a psychologist, Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team.

Martinez was instrumental for Argentina when they lifted the Copa America trophy. Stopping three penalty kicks against Colombia in the semi finals, Martinez was named as the best goalkeeper of the Copa America. Speaking in an interview with El Pais, he spoke about what he said against Colombia in that match:

“Celebrating after stopping a penalty or talking to the opponents, that’s not the example I want to give the young kids. But it was what happened at that moment. In an athlete, behind every success story is a lot of effort and sacrifice.

“I had to overcome a lot of adversity before getting to where I am now. That’s the message I want to give to the youth, not a meme or a celebration.”

He also commented about working with a psychologist:

“Playing with the Argentina national team was a dream of mine since I started stopping shots at the age of six. I was always strong but I work with a psychologist. It changed me a lot. It prepares me for every match. We talk two or three times a week. My head is more focused than ever, win or lose. I have three preparations. Mental, individual and that of the team.”

In addition, Martinez commented on Lionel Messi:

“I’m more happy for him than for me. He behaves like just another team mate and a crazy captain.

“Before the match, he will give us a talk explaining to use about the weaknesses of the opponents and what we have to do. After that, he asks that we all sing the national anthem together. Details like that make us more enthusiastic. And there’s the obvious, he’s a total reference point in the play.

“The message, nevertheless, was not give the ball to the number ten. It was to work for the ten. If we have to run 12 km per match, we will run. But we can’t pass him the ball and hope that he fixes everything. In that structure, the idea is to give your life for him. And everyone who plays understands that.”

Regarding the match against Brazil on Sunday:

“It will be nice playing them again. The important thing is to continue collecting points in these qualifiers to be able to qualify for the World Cup.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference on Saturday where he commented on Lionel Messi, the team, Brazil and the undefeated streak.

Lionel Scaloni’s team started off their first of three matches with a 3-1 win against Venezuela on Thursday. Argentina play Brazil on Sunday and he spoke about the starting eleven for that match. Here is what he had to say:

“I have an idea on how the team will line-up but we still have not been able to do a training session with those who played against Venezuela. We will probably make a few changes thinking about the upcoming matches.

The changes are not because of how they have performed. They all did. It’s important to be able to enjoy them all without the team feeling it. It’s not for the performance, it’s a question of rest.”

Scaloni also commented on Lionel Messi:

“Leo (Messi) is fine. It was a scare but luckily he is fine. We will confirm his condition 100% this afternoon when we do some work on the pitch.”

In regards to winning the Copa America and the friendships in the team:

“We won the Copa and I we had to go to Venezuela and be protagonists. It’s not over. It’s not that we won and that’s it. We don’t relax. These guys are used to competing at a high demand. Them winning the Copa did not change them. It’s a huge satisfaction.

“When you are enclosed together for so long, an affinity develops. These guys have known each other for a long time and they even went together on vacation. All of that adds up.”

About the match against Brazil on Sunday:

“Brazil are the most winning-est team of all time. Whoever plays, plays. Brazil is always an important opponent. They come off an incredible positive streak and show that they are up to the task with their high quality players. We know that they are playing at home and that we are playing against a team that has won all seven matches. We take every match the same way, we face the match with the highest demand.”

Regarding Emiliano Martinez and if he will remain as the goalkeeper:

“He is in a good moment but by no means do we consider him to be immovable. This is in every position. We have made changes and the team doesn’t feel it. As long as you perform well, you’ll surely keep going. We think that they should perform for their clubs first and after that with the Argentina national team.”

About the World Cup qualifiers:

“A World Cup qualifier has nothing to do with a World Cup. We are lucky that most of our players are used to playing in Europe. The difference is in the speed of the ball. I do not think the position in the standings is important but how you get there.”

He was also asked about the leagues being against the idea of the players being released:

“After this fixture, FIFA should hold a meeting to see what will be done for the next one. I imagine action will be taken, this can’t go on like this. This date was played with everything fair in terms of the decisions. You cannot compete like this. I understand the other national teams and they have the maximum support.”

The undefeated streak:

“I didn’t even remember the streak because I know it’s going to end. It doesn’t worry me. We aren’t invincible. Hopefully it will arrive later but if it happens soon, it has to happen in a good way. That the team feels good even in defeat.

“We are prepared for different circumstances. At any time during the match, Argentina is dominating and we know what can happen. There we have to know how to defend. But it’s also clear what we have to do when we have the ball. There are opponents of great quality and their offensive power can complicate things. If you are not prepared for that, you will suffer.”

The Argentina national team trained on Friday evening with some possible changes against Brazil as Franco Armani trained separately from the group.

Lionel Scaloni held a training session on Friday evening where Franco Armani did not train with the group. Armani was left out of the squad for Argentina’s 3-1 win vs. Venezuela due to a problem in his knee.

Those who took part in the match against Venezuela did not train as they were rested while the players who did not play in the win did train. Argentina’s eleven against Brazil will not be the same as the one which started on Thursday as Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes are both back from suspension.

Per a report by TyC Sports, Romero is expected to start in place of Pezzella while in midfield it would be between Leandro Paredes and Guido Rodriguez. The other two spots would be between Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel on the right side. On the left it’s between Acuña and Tagliafico. Per the report, this is an early possible eleven for Sunday’s match:

Emiliano Martinez; Molina or Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña or Tagliafico; De Paul, Guido or Paredes, Lo Celso; Di Maria, Lautaro, Messi

The Argentina national team has landed in Brazil and one of the videos captured Lionel Messi slightly limping.

It was a big 3-1 win for Argentina against Venezuela as they flew out to Brazil where it will be a repeat of the Copa America final on Sunday. Messi was seen walking with a limp following the dangerous tackle he received which saw Venezuela reduced to 10 men.

Per a report by TyC Sports, there would be a training session on Friday night which will likely see those who did not start or play against Venezuela taking part in the training.

عاجل | وصول الأسطورة ميسي الى ساو باولو 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/uDRcWJfFFB

— ميسي | Messi (@Team_10_Messi) September 3, 2021

Lautaro Martinez commented on Argentina’s 3-1 win against Venezuela and about scoring a goal.

Martinez, now on 15 goals in 30 matches for the Argentina national team, scored the first goal of the match, his third in the World Cup qualifiers. Speaking after the match, here is what Lautaro had to say:

“The three points are very important. Venezuela is a very complicated opponent. In South America, they’re all difficult but we had a great first half. We created chances and after the goal we were able to work with more peace of mind. We brought home three important points. I think we had a great first half today, beyond the fact that they were down a man.

“For a striker, it’s important to score but the most important thing is that the Argentina national team win. You always have to think about the group.”

He also spoke about the match against Brazil on Sunday:

“The match against Brazil will be nice. It’s unique matches and we are going to try to prepare for it in the best way possible. We will try to face them the same way we did in the Copa America final.”