Argentina superstar Lionel Messi publicly stated his support for Diego Maradona today, telling reporters that he wants the controversial coach to stay in charge of La Seleccion. Messi was speaking from Panama, where tonight he captains a select XI in a charity match featuring players such as Martin Palermo, Lucio and Marco Materazzi.
“If it was up to me, I’d want him to carry on. It is he who has to decide what to do however,” Messi stated in one of the few public statements he has released since the Albiceleste suffered elimination from the World Cup.
The Argentine forward, who has lived in Spain since the age of 13, dismissed suggestions from one journalist that he would have preferred to be in the Spanish side which finished as champions. “I am Argentine and I will defend the shirt of my team. I feel a healthy envy for Spain, but I only want to be champion with my own team.”
Messi finished by looking towards the future, which for the Albiceleste contains various friendly matches before the next big challenge, a home Copa America in 2011. The Barcelona player made it clear that now all eyes are on the future. “We have to start from scratch, playing friendlies and thinking about the Copa America. We will have to prepare well, we have plenty of time. Sadly we could not lift the World Cup, but that is already finished and behind us.”
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