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Jorge Sampaoli Perfectly Sums Up Lionel Messi's World Cup Problem

Jorge Sampaoli Perfectly Sums Up Lionel Messi's World Cup Problem

The Argentina manager hit the nail on the head when it comes to the Barcelona superstar and his lack of a World Cup win.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

It felt almost cruel as Lionel Messi won his best player at the World Cup award four years ago with the Argentine forward visibly upset. But can he ever be called the best without the ultimate prize? His international manager summer up the problem perfectly.

In Brazil four years ago many questioned how Messi had won the player of the tournament award but as usual the Barcelona superstar had a hand in everything good his team had done on the way to the final.

He was unable to affect that match in the way he would have wanted but if Gonzalo Higuain hadn't missed an early opportunity or failed to keep himself onside then perhaps the five time Ballon d'Or winner might have added the World Cup to his ridiculous trophy collection.

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Since then Messi and Argentina have twice failed to win the Copa America, losing on both occasions to Chile in the final on penalties, with the 30 year old 'retiring' from international football after the second before soon reversing his decision.

Once again it was left to the Barcelona forward to drag his team to this summer's World Cup, scoring a hat-trick in their final qualifier against Ecuador when 1-0 down and with elimination looming.

Of course once again the question will be raised can Messi be considered the best ever without a World Cup and his manager Jorge Sampaoli speaking, via Clarin, summed up the situation perfectly, saying:

"Messi has a revolver put to his head called the World Cup and if he doesn't win it, he's shot and killed. As a result, he can't enjoy his talent. What I find is that the negativity surrounding international football damages Messi.

"At this moment, I feel that I'm coaching the best player in history."

Argentina celebrate after Messi's one man mission to get them to the World Cup. Image: PA Images
Argentina celebrate after Messi's one man mission to get them to the World Cup. Image: PA Images

Of course of the other players considered the best player ever only Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have failed to win the World Cup but the Portuguese star does at least have the Euros win in 2016 to fall back on.

Diego Maradona, who the is often the player his fellow Argentine is compared to, famously won the World Cup in 1986 and won the player of the tournament award at the tournament with many considering he won it almost single handedly, most apt in the game against England.

That is often the stick that Messi is beaten with, that if he was so good he'd win it all on his own. What is curious is that many disregard the World Cup and international football yet still find it a problem that the former Newells youngster hasn't won it.

Can Messi win the World Cup this summer?

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Topics: Football News, Russia 2018, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Argentina, World Cup