Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has hailed Lionel Messi’s “amazing” World Cup form and compared him to Diego Maradona during the team’s title run in 1986.
Sabella said he never had any doubts that Messi, who has not always produced his best at international level, would star at the tournament.
The four-time world player of the year, aged 27, has hit four of Argentina’s six goals en route to today’s last 16 knock-out game against Switzerland in Sao Paulo.
“Messi’s playing an amazing World Cup, that’s what everybody expected,” Sabella said. “I expected it, so did his colleagues and so did all Argentineans in general. So of course we’re happy, we’re happy for the team and for him as well.
“He’s an important player for us. Maradona was a very important player in that time and Messi is important as well.”
Messi scored against all of Argentina’s group rivals Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria to lie one off Maradona’s haul of five goals in 1986, when the Albiceleste last won the World Cup.
Sabella said he was happy for the two-time world champions to rely on their star man – much as Brazil have counted on Messi’s Barcelona team-mate, Neymar.
“I think both players are amazing. Messi’s the best in the world, Neymar is a great player and of course with players like this the team depends on them. It’s normal,” he said.
Switzerland frontman Admir Mehmedi has not been caught up in the hype, though, knowing the clash at Corinthians Arena will be decided by more than just one man.
“Swap jerseys with Messi? I’m not here as a tourist,” he said. “Switzerland is in the second round of a World Cup.
“With all due respect for his qualities and his class, I think too much is talked about just Messi.
“He is exceptional, no question, but that is not all, he has very good players around him. We will not neglect the preparation nor in the game itself.”
Mehmedi preferred instead to single out Angel Di Maria for praise, before speaking up Switzerland’s chances of causing an upset in Sao Paulo.
“I know the quality and potential of this team,” the Freiburg striker said. “If we defeat Argentina, we write a piece of World Cup history and many people in Switzerland proud of the team.
“I even think such success would see the world take notice, but we are not naive.
“It will take an absolutely top performance of each one of us. And I assure you, everyone will do everything we can to provide these and tearing for Switzerland.”
Meanwhile, Argentina coach Sabella insisted he was not angry with Ezequiel Lavezzi for splashing him with water, calling the apparent fit of pique a “positive gesture”.
Sabella indicated there had been no comeback after Lavezzi, in what looked like an act of irritation, sloshed water from a drinks bottle on his suit during the 3-2 win over Nigeria.
“We know he’s a very special person and… a coach must know his individual players,” Sabella said. “I understood his gesture as a positive gesture.”
