God has blessed us with Maradona and Messi – Fernández
IN ASSESSING his country’s chances of winning the 2018 World Cup, Argentina Ambassador to Jamaica Ariel Fernández’s buzzwords were “competitive” and “Messi”. The two-time champions face tiny Iceland in their opening Group D fixture at the Spartak Stadium today. Fernández is not only confident of a victory, but that his country’s best player at the World Cup, Lionel Messi, will get on the score sheet to be on his way to finally walking away with the Golden Boot award. “We want to be competitive; we want to win all the games, and although it will be a difficult run, we have Messi, and anything is possible,” Fernández said. He told The Gleaner: “In Argentina, we have a saying that God has blessed us with M and M – Maradona and Messi. There is no secret. Messi is easily the great player that he is, and I am sure the team will do well.”
Noting Argentina’s World Cup history, Fernández said that unlike four years ago, the squad this time around was a better mix of attack and defence. He is, therefore, expecting to win the group ahead of Nigeria, Croatia, and Iceland.
“The make-up of the team is stronger than in 2014. I hope that we win the title, and I am feeling excited that we will get off with a fine victory over Iceland,” Fernández said.
“It will be the third time that we are facing Nigeria in the group stage at the World Cup, and we have a fairly good record against them. So, topping the group will very much depend on winning that match, as well as the one against Croatia. It is going to be interesting and fun,” he added.
Fernández said that he is predicting that the World Cup will be an open affair but was quick to note Argentina’s pedigree and litany of world-class players led by the indomitable Messi.
Argentina will be making its 18th appearance at the World Cup, twice winning it in 1978 (at home) and again in 1986 (Mexico City).