MESSI POWER TRIP

LIP-READING interactions at World Cups is a dangerous game, so there are now conflicting versions circulating of what passed between Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli and Lionel Messi on Tuesday. One has Sampaoli consulting Messi, before introducing Sergio Aguero against Nigeria. The other has him simply informing the player of the change. Clearly, whatever version you believe depends on your take on Messi’s control of the camp (right). This is the second World Cup in succession that Messi is said to be as good as running Argentina’s show. Former manager Alejandro Sabella was also depicted as a stooge in 2014, falling over on the touchline against Belgium, contemptuously doused with water by one of his own players, Ezequiel Lavezzi, during a game against Nigeria. It was said Sabella asked two questions of Messi before each match. How do you want to play — and who do you want to play? Whether true or not, Sabella had a better relationship with Messi than Sampaoli, who appears increasingly frantic on the sidelines as Argentina struggle. It could be argued that a player as important as Messi should be consulted by the coach — or conversely that this undermines Sampaoli as it did Sabella, costing him authority with the rest of the squad. What is certain, either way, is that the idea Messi is a humble, ego-less genius compared to Cristiano Ronaldo is wide of the mark. Ronaldo looks as if he cares only for himself but is, for Portugal, rather a team player. Messi appears utterly selfless and understated but is quite possibly, behind the scenes, an utterly terrifying presence for any manager.