If I smack him, I can’t go back to Argentina: Mercedo
Apr 19, 2018 at 8:49 PM
The final of the Copa del Rey between Barcelona and Sevilla is just couple of days away and there will be a reunion of two Argentinian before the World Cup – Lionel Messi and Mercedo.
The Sevilla defender has claimed that he would not be able to show his face in Argentina if he gave Lionel Messi rough treatment in the Copa del Rey final.
Sevilla had looked set to be the first team to beat Barca in La Liga this season last month, only for substitute Messi to inspire a dramatic late comeback and seal a 2-2 draw at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Mercedo’s side will again get the opportunity to beat Barcelona on Saturday and this time in even a bigger stage but the Argentinian defender has admitted that there will not be many ways for him to stop his Argentina team-mate if he wants to avoid causing anger back home ahead of the World Cup.
“If I smack him, I can’t go back to Argentina! You can’t stop Messi by fouling him; you put one in on him and he just gets up and carries on, wanting to play football. His only thought on the pitch is how to hurt the opposition and score.” he said.
In the eyes of Mercedo, his Argentinian team-mate is the best in the world.
“He is the best in the world, beyond doubt. He pops up all over the pitch, scores goals, lays them on for his team-mates.”
“We’re going to have a lot of work to do in defence and we’ll have to play to perfection. But we are dreaming of winning the cup and nobody’s going to take it from us easily,” Mercedo concluded.
Vincenzo Montella’s side meet Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday in a repeat of the final of two years ago, which the Catalans won 2-0.