A former South American star has brutally criticised Lionel Messi, insisting Argentina will be better off without the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
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Former Chile international Miguel Angel Neira believes the Inter Miami captain has been protected by match officials, and that his influence on the Argentina national team has significantly lowered in recent times.
The 37-year-old will miss the Albiceleste's upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia due to an injury he picked up at the 2024 Copa America.
Neira, though, believes Lionel Scaloni's side will be better without Messi, insisting whoever replaces him in the starting XI will improve the team's fortunes.
"If Messi no longer plays, the worst thing that can happen to us is that he is not a starter. Now someone else is going to play and anyone is better than Messi," he said, according to Goal.
"If he was, he is no longer, it was seen in the Copa America, in the qualifiers, he no longer has anything to do with the Argentine national team.
"They (referees) helped Messi, they protected him, I wish they had protected Diego Maradona like that."
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Messi is the all-time leading goalscorer in international football in South America, having netted 109 times in his 187 appearances for the Albiceleste.
