Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, an outspoken coach in Argentina, has taken a swipe Lionel Messi.
Lombardi, who never played at professional level but is reportedly no stranger to controversy, has hit out at Messi for his dismal performance in the World Cup final.
"He should have shown up in the final. It isn't Pékerman, Batista, Maradona or Sabella's fault. Messi should have made us world champions,” he said as quoted by Marca.
“If he doesn't feel like performing in a World Cup final, he should go and play golf instead".
The Argentinian coach says that playing for Albiceleste is another level to La Liga football and insisted former FC Barcelona coach, Gerardo Martino, wouldn’t have replaced Allejandro Sabella if Messi’s hadn’t given his approval.
"I'd tell him to actually run at players for the national side. He's not in Spain where he dribbles past everyone as if they were cones in training,” he added.
"Do you think Martino came in without Messi's approval? If he'd said no, Martino wouldn't be there. Messi determines so much.”
Argentina, who missed Messi due to injury, beat Germany 4-2 in the replay of the World Cup final last night.
Do you think Lombardi is right and Argentina are better without their superstar? Have your say in the comment section below.
