Leo will be Barc to best
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni insists misfiring Lionel Messi will come good at just the right time.
He expects the Barcelona superstar to come to life in the Copa America semifinal with arch rivals Brazil.
Argentina’s all-time top scorer often loses out to Diego Maradona in debates over who is the country’s best ever player due to his failure to inspire his nation to a major trophy.
But while he usually looks to be playing on a dif ferent level to his international team-mates, it was a different case in Friday’s quarter-final win over Venezuela.
The five- times world player of the year looked rusty, slow and the least likely to conjure up a moment of magic.
Instead it was Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez who provided Argentina’s inspiration, scoring the opener and catching the eye with his display.
After four games at the Copa America, Messi has only scored once – from the penalty spot – and has not provided any assists.
But Scaloni is adamant his captain remains the best player in the world and insists he makes a telling contribution even when he is struggling for form.
Scaloni said: “Messi’s contribution on the pitch is essential, if you could see what he gives us in the dressing room you’d think differently. I assure you it’s great to have him here.”
When further pressed on Messi’s poor form, Scaloni replied curtly: “All there is to say about Leo is he’s the best in the world.”
The Argentina gaffer also believes that the poor pitches at the tournament in Brazil are stopping his star man from playing his natural game.
He said: “The pitches here are shameful, the ball is like a rabbit, it can go anywhere.
“The conditions are very difficult and it’s very hard to dribble properly. This cannot go on.”