Former Argentina National Team coach Jorge Sampaoli has provided an insight on how it felt directing Lionel Messi during his tenure. It is no secret that Sampaoli’s stint with the La Albiceleste was quite a drab one, marred with numerous controversies. After he successfully had guided Chile to Copa America title in 2015, Argentina roped in Sampaoli as their manager to lead them at the FIFA World Cup 2018.
However, a disastrous World Cup tournament saw Argentina draw their opener against minnows Iceland, lose against Croatia and scrape through Nigeria to make it to the knock-out stage. But that was it as they were ousted by eventual champions France in the round of 16. Messi and co. returned home dejected as the Argentine Football Association fired Sampaoli, who reportedly had fallen out with the team captain Lionel Messi during the world tournament.
Sampaoli lauds Lionel Messi who he feels ‘knows beyond his technical abilities’
There’s no such manager till now who has not enjoyed coaching Lionel Messi, and not sang songs of his praises. Sampaoli too has added his name to the elite list of managers who had the opportunity to give instructions to the GOAT from the sidelines. While it didn’t last long, the Chilean did enjoy his 15-game tenure with the Argentina team, which also boasted the likes of Sergio Aguero, Angel di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Nicolas Otamendi and Paulo Dybala.
Speaking to Chilean outlet ADN Deportes, the 62-year-old had special words of praise for Lionel Messi, whom he hailed as a silent leader and a genius. About the Argentine top-scorer of all-time, Sampaoli said:
“Directing [Lionel] Messi is directing a genius, he is a person who is above everyone, he knows even when are you going to lose and when are you going to win? With two glances he gives you a parameter of what is happening, he is a silent leader, but he understands what is going to happen. He knows when the team that has prepared itself has no chance of winning, he knows, beyond his technical abilities and his ability to read the game, that’s why he’s a genius.”
It can’t be argued that every single word by Sampaoli about Messi is not true. The ‘La Pulga’ has taken the Argentina national team by storm since making his debut back in 2005. The seven-time Ballon d’or winner has come a long way, making 162 appearances for the Sky Blues racking up 86 goals and a remarkable 51 assists. Messi has also endured many agonies with the national team, losing four major tournament finals including the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.
However, he finally led his beloved nation to a major tournament triumph after lifting the Copa America title last year. Moreover, he did it in some style by putting up majestic numbers in the run-up to the glory, scoring 4 goals and providing 5 assists across 7 games. He also bagged the Best Player of the Tournament [shared with Brazil’s Neymar] award for his 12 goal involvements in just 5 games. And finally, the mercurial forward won his record seventh Ballon d’Or too last year.
A major change occurred post his win with Argentina, as he had to leave his childhood club FC Barcelona due to their poor financial conditions. Messi joined his close friend Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain, where after a underwhelming debut season he has finally picked up pace, netting 5 goals and providing 8 assists in 10 games. Messi is now back with Argentina for their final friendlies before the World Cup in Qatar, as they face Honduras and Jamaica. The 35-year-old will certainly gearing himself up to lead his country to the World Cup glory, the only trophy missing from his cabinet.