Lionel Messi was upbeat after watching Argentina crash to a huge defeat against Spain this week – despite pictures of the player looking upset and annoyed during the game and even claims he let before the end of the game.
However, it seems that in reality, the player is actually taking on far more of a vocal presence in the dressing room, and took it upon himself to issue a rallying cry to the players, making it clear he thinks that now is not the time to wallow and that the players have to stay united and together as a squad.
The Mirror claim Messi told the squad that now was the time to ‘come together’ and be ‘united’ in the wake of the loss, and ensure it doesn’t happen again, and that they go into the World Cup this summer in Russia with their heads held high and as one of the favourites for the trophy.
There have been times in the past when Messi hasn’t been the greatest talisman for his country – in the eyes of the Argentinian people that is, yet Diego Costa noted he is just so special, and that Messi deserves all the praise and respect his country can give him.
The Spain striker made his mark on the game, but was speaking about Messi afterwards, and noted that he thinks Argentina should praise God that they have a player like Messi in their side.
“You can see that when Messi is not around it’s something else,
“To have Messi on the pitch changes many things. You can see that when he is not on the pitch, they are missing their leader.
“Argentinians know that Messi is Messi. I hear that people criticise [him], but Messi deserves preferential treatment because he is the best.
“A player like Messi cannot be criticised. You have to give thanks to god that he exists.”