Football

We don't trust you: Messi to Sampaoli after Croatia game

Argentina's Lionel Messi with coach Jorge Sampaoli File Photo: Reuters

Argentina World Cup captain Lionel Messi and his national side teammates had apparently told coach Jorge Sampaoli after the Croatian match that they no longer trusted the now sacked manager, according to a new book.

Mundial es Historias, a new book from Argentinean journalist Ariel Senosian soon to be released, claimed that a row erupted after they were defeated 3-0 by Croatia in the group stages.

 “We do not get what you say. We no longer trust you. We want to have an opinion.” One of the players of the Albiceleste was quoted in the book as saying.

The players demanded that they get to have a say on everything to do with the team. Sampaoli then snapped back asking: “So you are going to put the team together, direct in training, everything?”

 “You have asked me ten times which players I wanted in the line-up and which I didn’t, and I never gave you a single name. Tell me, in front of everyone, if I ever gave you any names.” Messi had asked.

After the row, Sampaoli was seen asking Messi, if he should bring on Sergio Agüero during the Nigeria match, which they won 2-1 thanks to a late Marcos Rojo goal to qualify for the knockout stages.

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We don't trust you: Messi to Sampaoli after Croatia game

Argentina's Lionel Messi with coach Jorge Sampaoli File Photo: Reuters

Argentina World Cup captain Lionel Messi and his national side teammates had apparently told coach Jorge Sampaoli after the Croatian match that they no longer trusted the now sacked manager, according to a new book.

Mundial es Historias, a new book from Argentinean journalist Ariel Senosian soon to be released, claimed that a row erupted after they were defeated 3-0 by Croatia in the group stages.

 “We do not get what you say. We no longer trust you. We want to have an opinion.” One of the players of the Albiceleste was quoted in the book as saying.

The players demanded that they get to have a say on everything to do with the team. Sampaoli then snapped back asking: “So you are going to put the team together, direct in training, everything?”

 “You have asked me ten times which players I wanted in the line-up and which I didn’t, and I never gave you a single name. Tell me, in front of everyone, if I ever gave you any names.” Messi had asked.

After the row, Sampaoli was seen asking Messi, if he should bring on Sergio Agüero during the Nigeria match, which they won 2-1 thanks to a late Marcos Rojo goal to qualify for the knockout stages.

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