‘Dependent on Messi? Of course!’

Alejandro Sabella has admitted that Argentina are dependent on Lionel Messi, claiming that the Barcelona man is ‘the best’.

The Albicelestes take on Belgium in their World Cup quarter-final this afternoon, and the Coach has conceded that the former Ballon d’Or winner is their figurehead and leader.

“Messi dependence? Any team that has a player like Messi will depend on him,” he told a Press conference.

“The fact that he is doing what he has been doing shows that he is the best in the world, but there’s more to this team.

“Against Switzerland, [Rodrigo] Palacio was the one who won the ball in midfield before he set up Messi ahead of the goal. Without Palacio, we would not have scored that goal.   

“One always expects Messi to do something different. He can always surprise and do something unexpected. But then again, it's not really a surprise anymore with Messi when he does something unexpected.

“Four years ago, Messi was criticised and now we are believed to be too reliant on him…"

The tactician was at pains to stress though that his men can’t take Marc Wilmots’ side lightly.

“Belgium have a very good team. They have a bit of a golden generation. They had a similar generation in 1982 that beat Argentina.

“They have a lot of players who play in the Premier League. They’re a powerful team and we have to take our measures. 

“Belgium have some superb individual players and work very well as a team. They have one of the best goalkeepers in the world and their defenders play at great clubs in big leagues.”

Tags Argentina Messi Sabella World Cup 2014
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