Advertisement
Maradona Praises Messi Despite Argentina's Loss To Spain
The legendary figure praised the heir to his throne as the most satisfying element of his side's defeat at the Vicente Calderon.
Nov 15, 2009 7:56:13 AM
Argentina coach Diego Maradona highlighted the display of Lionel Messi despite his side stumbling to a 2-1 defeat against Spain in Madrid on Saturday evening.
Xabi Alonso did the damage for the European Champions, netting a late penalty to add to his earlier effort that had been cancelled out by a Messi spotkick on the hour mark.
The loss represented another poor result for Maradona but in the post-match press conference, he appeared upbeat, and was particularly delighted with the performance of the Barcelona wing-man.
“The match wasn’t brilliant but the team responded well against the champions of Europe. It works for me because the team reacted very well.
“Leo [Messi] played marvellously well, and little by little he is becoming the leader of the team. It is what I want and it is what I hope for.”
Maradona however added that in the opening 45 minutes his side were under severe pressure from Spain and in particular the ability of Valencia star David Silva, but was elated with the manner in which his players managed to fight back.
The former number 10 stated, “I leave here happy because in the first half they were much better than us but we resolved the problem.
“The second half was all ours, and our only problem was a lack of definition.”
Paul Macdonald, Goal.com
The 2010 World Cup is fast approaching, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage!
Xabi Alonso did the damage for the European Champions, netting a late penalty to add to his earlier effort that had been cancelled out by a Messi spotkick on the hour mark.
The loss represented another poor result for Maradona but in the post-match press conference, he appeared upbeat, and was particularly delighted with the performance of the Barcelona wing-man.
“The match wasn’t brilliant but the team responded well against the champions of Europe. It works for me because the team reacted very well.
“Leo [Messi] played marvellously well, and little by little he is becoming the leader of the team. It is what I want and it is what I hope for.”
Maradona however added that in the opening 45 minutes his side were under severe pressure from Spain and in particular the ability of Valencia star David Silva, but was elated with the manner in which his players managed to fight back.
The former number 10 stated, “I leave here happy because in the first half they were much better than us but we resolved the problem.
“The second half was all ours, and our only problem was a lack of definition.”
Paul Macdonald, Goal.com
The 2010 World Cup is fast approaching, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage!
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Yahoo
- Report: Milan Won't Pay €40 Million For Edin Dzeko
- Report: Sampdoria's Giampaolo Pazzini In Pole Position For Summer Move To Juventus
- CL Debate: The Tide Has Turned - Inter & Manchester United Are Now Favorites Against Chelsea & Milan
- Serie A Preview: Parma - Inter
- Michael Ballack Hails Chelsea's Unity And Professionalism
- FIFA Retain Four African Referees For World Cup
- La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 21
- Report: Police Question Jose Mourinho After Foiling Planned Burglary On His Home
- Steven Gerrard Wants Liverpool To Target 'Wounded Animal' Arsenal
- Sir Alex Ferguson Has Faith In His Manchester United Players
Advertisement
Most Read
- Arsenal To Hand Cesc Fabregas £30m Deal
- Ivory Coast Fans Angry At Didier Drogba’s Chelsea Brace Against Arsenal
- Premier League Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
- Arsenal Comment: Wenger’s Failure To Buy In January Has Cost Arsenal
- Player Ratings: Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
- Premier League Player Ratings: Liverpool 1-0 Everton
- Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-1 Getafe
- Manchester United 5-0 Portsmouth: Rampant United Return To The Top Of The League
- Euro 2012 Draw: Italy Meet Serbia, Germany-Turkey & Portugal-Denmark
- Report: Capello To Pick Bridge For England's Egypt Friendly
- Manchester United Comment: Red-hot Run Piles Pressure On Arsenal And Chelsea
Advertisement
Most Discussed
- Arsenal To Hand Cesc Fabregas £30m Deal
76 - Premier League Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal60
- Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal: Didier Drogba Double Dispatches Demoralised Arsenal47
- Report: Juventus Set Sights On Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain33
- Euro 2012 Draw: Italy Meet Serbia, Germany-Turkey & Portugal-Denmark23
- Euro 2012 Special: What Italy, England, Spain, France, Germany & Holland’s Teams Will Look Like At Euro 201222
Advertisement
Watch
