Messi is "more leader than ever" in Argentina, said Zanetti

The star Lionel Messi is “more leader than ever” in the Argentina national team, which on Tuesday will fight Croatia for a pass to the World Cup final in Qatar, former Argentine international Javier Zanetti said on Sunday.

I see him “more leader than ever, He is showing it in all the games“, said the former defender, twice World Cup with the Albiceleste (1998 and 2002), to journalists in Doha.

Messi, 35 years old, It has been one of the highest points of the South Americans in Qatarwith four goals and two assists in five games.

Usually measured and calm, the Argentine captain had some encounters with rivals in the clash against the Netherlands (2-2, 4-3) in the quarterfinals, and questioned the Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who had criticized him before the game.

“Messi always gave great things to the Argentine fans since he started playing. He is our captain, our leader, our reference. He deserves everything he is experiencing,” Zanetti said.

The “Pupi”, 49 years old, He said he was “excited” and “excited” with his team reaching the final, which will be held on December 18 at the Lusail stadium.

“Argentina has a great personality, believe in what you are doing. It is a job that went from minor to major and today she is a few days away from a great semifinal against Croatia that can lead her to make history,” she pointed out.

Nevertheless, warned of the power of Luka Modric’s Croatiarunner-up in Russia 2018 and who eliminated Brazil (1-1, 4-2) on penalties in the previous phase.

“It’s not in this World Cup, Croatia has been competing well for a long time, it’s going to be a difficult rival,” he said.. “In a World Cup everything can happen, Brazil is a great team and well, they also faced a Croatia that believed until the end.”

– Controversial, France and Pelé –

Zanetti did not argue about the criticism made by portuguese players to the arbitration of the Argentine Facundo Tello in the game that they lost 1-0 with Morocco on Saturday.

Defender Pepe and midfielder Bruno Fernandes said that supposedly there is a favor for Argentina to lift the trophy.

“We do not enter into polemics. We are happy that we are in the semifinals, “she settled.

In addition, he considered that France is favorite in the other key, in which he will face Morocco, the revelation of the World Cup.

“Seeing what France is, I think France is emerging as one of the candidates to reach the final,” he said.

Zanetti participated in a Conmebol tribute to former Brazilian star Pelé in Doha.

‘O rei’, 82, is hospitalized in Sao Paulo from November 29 for a reassessment of his chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer that was detected last year.

A few days later, the hospital reported that it also andwas being treated for a lung infection, consequence, according to his family, of a covid-19 infection that he suffered a few weeks before.

Concern about his situation increased after journalistic versions that ensured that he was not responding to chemotherapy and received “hospice care.”

But two of his daughters denied that information and assured that your health is not “at risk”.

“Pelé was admired by many of us who love football, it was inspiration. Today that he is going through a difficult time in his life, we send him all the strength for him and his family from here,” closed the former Inter Milan (ITA) captain.