Lionel Messi - Inspired Argentina to the World Cup with his leadership skills
source: espnfc |
Lionel Messi's leadership skills in his role
as Argentina captain came as a surprise to his new international teammate,
German Pezzella.
Messi has been criticised in the past by
some, including Argentina great Diego Maradona for lacking the required "personality to be a
leader."
Pezzella was called up for the first time to
the Albiceleste for his national team's final World Cup
qualifiers against Peru and Ecuador and although the Fiorentina defender did
not feature in either game, he did get to experience Messi's influence in the
changing room.
After a goalless draw with Peru, Argentina
claimed a place in next year's World Cup with a 3-1 win at Ecuador on Oct. 11, with Messi scoring a hat
trick.
"I was surprised off the pitch by how
positive his mind was and his words before each game," Pezzella, 26, said
of Messi to EFE. "He was convinced that everything
was going to be all right. After the game against Peru he was the first to say
that there was one shot left and we had to make the most of it. That gives one
the push to continue, a bigger one especially coming from him."
Messi, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has
frequently been compared with Maradona throughout his career and often been
criticised because Argentina have not won any major titles with the Barcelona
star leading their attack.
source: espnfc |
Pezzella, who has represented his country at
under-20 and under-23 level, is hoping to earn a place in Jorge Sampaoli's
squad for next year's World Cup but knows competition will be fierce.
"For me it was just an enormous joy to
be there [national team]," the former River Plate player said. "One
always works with the hope of being given that opportunity. It arrived and it
was great.
"However, one always looks at it with
the aim that it has continuity and that it is the start of a long journey and
not just an isolated case."
Pezzella joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan from Real
Betis and has started in seven Serie A games for La
Viola.
Whether Pezzella travels to Russia with the
Argentina squad or not, he knows Messi and the national team will aim to reach
the top.
|
"The goal of the national team each time
it goes to a World Cup is to win it," he said.
"Argentina can reach finals but if you
don't win them, you don't get the real extent of what one has achieved.
"There is still a year remaining and we
have to try to prepare for it in the best possible way.
"Once that preparation is over, we will
see which players the coach sees more useful for the team."
|
Comments
Post a Comment