‘He is now the leader that Argentina need’: Mauricio Pochettino insists Lionel Messi has taken the ‘next step’ in his career as he looks to finally guide his nation back to World Cup glory ahead of their final with France
Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that Lionel Messi has taken the ‘next step’ in his career, as he has guided Argentina to Sunday’s World Cup final.
The PSG forward is the joint top goalscorer alongside France’s Kylian Mbappe both with five goals to their name, heading into the final in Qatar.
But the former Tottenham and PSG boss believes it is about way more than the 35-year-old’s goal contributions, as he believes Messi knows how to lead his country both on and off the pitch this time round.
Mauricio Pochettino insisted that forward Lionel Messi has taken the ‘next step’ in his career
‘He knows exactly how he needs to behave, not only on the pitch but off it as well,’ Pochettino wrote as a guest writer for The Athletic.
‘And I think that leadership he is showing is why people finally believe this could be the time when the World Cup comes back to Argentina.
‘You can see it in how he manages the game, how he talks with the referees, with Lionel Scaloni, even with the opponents.
Former Tottenham and PSG boss Pochettino believes Messi is now the leader Argentina needs
‘After the quarter-final against the Netherlands, when Argentina won on penalties, I heard some people comparing Messi’s leadership with the leadership that Maradona used to show.’
He added: ‘Messi is now the leader that Argentina need, and for me, that is a massive step for him.’
The former Barcelona star is in line to win the Golden Ball if he can put in another stellar performance in the final and finally get his hands on the prestigious international prize.
The 35-year-old forward is currently the joint top goalscorer at the major tournament in Qatar
His former manager, however, is pleased that people are finally seeing the ‘real Messi’ during the major tournament in Qatar.
‘It’s not just the performances, which are what we expect. People think he is quiet, but sometimes what you perceive from the outside is wrong.
‘He has a very strong character. He doesn’t talk too much, but he talks when he needs to. Maybe we see him talking more now because of the cameras and the technology.
‘We are seeing the real Messi. He was always like this. People like to talk in myths and we all know there are a lot of those in football.
‘Right now, Messi is performing at his best in every single area, and when you have that on your side, only good things can happen.’
Messi has the opportunity to add a World Cup trophy to his impressive trophy haul on Sunday afternoon, when Argentina come up against France in the final.
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