The coach of the Argentine soccer team, Lionel Scallonipraised this Monday the footballing maturity of the Paris Saint-Germain striker Leo Messiwhom he considered “a much better player now than before”.
“Before he was impressive, he passed to anyone and did what he wanted with the ball. And now he understands the game much more,” Scaloni said in an exclusive interview broadcast on the Finalissima, Conmebol-UEFA Champions Cup, social networks. Coach Albiceleste considered that Messi “has improved a lot”.
About Messi, he recalled his meetings when the now coach was a player. “On the contrary, I suffered playing and we always lost. And as a teammate I always got along well (with him) before the 2006 World Cup and all the way,” he said.
The Finalissima will face Argentina, champion of the last Copa América, and Italy, the last winner of the European Championship, at Wembley Stadium in London (United Kingdom). Asked about his expectations for this challenge, he referred to the Italian squad as “a great rival” and stressed that if he had qualified for the World Cup, “he would be a candidate to win the Cup.”
“Without a doubt, it is one of the best teams in the world, with an incredible football culture and an admiration I think is mutual,” said the Argentine technical director. “For us,” he added, “it’s a nice test, especially thinking about what’s to come and, well, let’s hope it turns out well.”
Among those summoned for the Argentine team are, in addition to Messi, Ángel Di María, Emiliano Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martínez and all the great figures of the Albiceleste. The list of the South Americans contains 29 footballers.
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