Lionel Messi is set to lead the Argentina team onto the pitch in their final game against Greece, after coach Diego Maradona hinted that the Barcelona star would receive the coveted captain’s armband.
With Argentina all but qualified for the next phase of the World Cup, Maradona has the enviable opportunity to rest starting players in preparation for a long campaign. And with senior players such as Javier Mascherano, Gabriel Heinze, Walter Samuel and Juan Sebastian Veron all likely to be on the bench due to slight knocks or yellow cards, there is a strong possibility that it will fall on ‘The Flea’ to assume the leader’s role.
TV pundit Oscar Ruggeri, who is a close confidant to Maradona, was the first one to state it publicly. “Messi will be captain,” the former Seleccion defender insisted on his programme on Argentine station America. And Maradona, without expressly confirming it, suggested in today’s press conference that it would be the Barcelona man who leads a reshuffled Argentine side out of the tunnel.
“His moment has come,” the controversial coach told gathered reporters. “When I told him what I told him, he was very emotional. It’s a wonderful thing. We already saw it in training, he’s having a great time training today. But you will only find out what the thing is tomorrow, when we take the field,” ‘El Pelusa’ finished.
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