As pleasure grows round Lionel Messi‘s preparation with the Argentina nationwide workforce for his or her 2026 World Cup title protection, not everyone seems to be impressed. Former Argentina goalkeeper Hugo Gatti has stirred controversy with sharp criticisms of Messi and Main League Soccer, bluntly stating, “As we speak he’s one much less.”
Hugo Gatti, an iconic goalkeeper who performed from 1962 to 1989, holds data for probably the most matches performed in Argentina’s First Division (765) and the joint-most penalties saved (26, alongside Ubaldo Fillol). Regardless of that includes in 18 matches for the nationwide workforce, Gatti has turn out to be extra identified for his outspoken opinions than his on-field achievements.
Nicknamed “El Loco” (The Loopy), Gatti didn’t maintain again when requested about Messi’s probabilities of taking part in within the 2026 World Cup. Talking to La Nacion, he remarked, “He may make it, however he’ll be one participant much less. He’s already one participant much less as we speak. He’s taking part in nation membership (novice) soccer in the USA,”
When prompted about Cristiano Ronaldo, who at the moment performs in Saudi Arabia, Gatti was fast to spotlight the distinction: “Sure, however it’s more durable to play there. Everybody performs there. They run, they go all out. Cristiano, even with limitations, is phenomenal. However even restricted, he’s higher than Messi.”
Gatti additionally criticized Messi for not stepping out of his consolation zone throughout his profession. “He’s restricted as a result of he doesn’t have Messi’s pure skills, however he performed for one of the best groups on the planet. The place did Messi play? At Barça and with the Argentina nationwide workforce. Messi didn’t push himself to play for different groups, in different international locations. And he had alternatives, you realize?,”” he concluded.
Lionel Messi’s storied profession has been outlined by unprecedented achievements, significantly with Argentina, together with two Copa America titles, a Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup victory. Nonetheless, not everybody has been content material along with his performances, as critics like Gatti proceed to query his legacy.
The explanations behind Messi’s criticism
Gatti, who has persistently voiced his admiration for Diego Maradona, doubled down on his longstanding perception that Messi falls in need of Argentina’s biggest. “Messi won’t ever be greater than Maradona,” he stated again when Argentina gained the 2022 World Cup, including that Kylian Mbappe is one of the best participant on the planet.
Gatti additionally gave perception into his important stance on Messi: “No one even kicked him. In soccer, in the event that they allow you to play, as Alfredo Di Stefano used to say, you play day-after-day. And Alfredo Di Stefano stated it, who was one of the best after Pele. However with Maradona, they kicked him to loss of life. No one kicked Messi. And once they kicked Diego, he bought again up once more. With Messi, you contact him, and he stays down.”
As Messi gears up for the following World Cup, these critiques are unlikely to faze him. With the Argentine nationwide workforce sitting on the prime of the CONMEBOL qualifiers, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to give attention to writing the following chapter of his storied profession.
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