Coaching the PSG forward is an easy task for Argentina's World Cup-winning coach.
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The comparison between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona has been going on for a long time. However, there is no doubt in Lionel Scaloni's mind about the superiority of these two Argentine legends. The PSG star is ahead of everyone for the country's World Cup-winning coach.
Before 2022, Argentina last won the World Cup in 1986, under Maradona. Then, after 36 years of waiting, under the leadership of Messi, the Latin American country once again lifted the crown of the world's best.
Even before this, the 'who is the best' debate between Messi and Maradona was going on. Before the World Cup in Qatar, Maradona was far ahead in terms of popularity in Argentina. However, after winning all the possible titles in club football, Messi has also won the World Cup. The comparison is also strong.
In an interview with Spanish radio station Cope on Tuesday, Scaloni made it clear that only Messi is the best in his eyes.
"If I had to choose one, I would choose Leo. My (relationship) with him is something special. He is the best of all time, but Maradona was also great."
Before the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina reached the final in 2014. Messi's dream was broken by scoring a goal at the end of the service against Germany. In the next two years, they reached the finals in both Copa America tournaments; But their wait for another title in international football is longer.
Messi also has to listen to criticism from the people of the country. Some complained that Messi does not play with the same dedication in the national team as he did in Barcelona. After losing in the final of the 2016 Copa America, he also said goodbye to the national team out of shame. Later, however, he changed his mind and came back again.
In the 2018 World Cup, a bigger disappointment accompanied Argentina. They were eliminated from the last sixteen after losing against France. Messi then took a break from international football. At that time, Scaloni took over as coach.
He told about that time.
"The first thing we did was talk to Messi on a video call. He said he felt honoured. The first thing we told him was, 'Come back, we'll be waiting for you.'
Scaloni got to know Messi better while working together. In the light of that experience, he said, having someone like Messi in the team makes the coach's job easier.
"Coaching Messi is not difficult. Technically there is nothing wrong with him. But sometimes you can instruct him to press or attack the opponent in a certain way."
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