On the eve of the big WQ Qualifier against Brasil some really unfortunate news has taken over the headlines from tonight's game. That is, an internal fight between Riquelme and Messi.
According to a myriad of media reports after Argentina's dreadful performance against Ecuador, AFA president Julio Grondona approached Messi in the locker room and said to him, with Riquelme nearby and within listening range, "Look, you are the owner of the team."
Riquelme did not like the remarks made by Grondona. This incident appears to be the spark that has brought to light some ongoing tensions between Riquelme and Messi.
As far as Messi, it is being reported that he has confided in a teammate (Veron) that he cannot tolerate the airs being put on by Riquelme, that of someone untouchable, of being above everyone else and Messi went on to say that he can no longer stand Riquelme. It is also being reported that 3 days before the Ecuador game, Messi was very upset with the whole situation and came close to leaving the teams training ground. A teammate had stopped him.
What did Riquelme say about this latest controversy that involves him?
The player spoke with a reporter in the hotel where the national team is staying in Belo Horizonte.
Q - How do you get along with Messi?
R - Why?
Q - Because there are reports of a fight and of differences between you both?
R - No, definitely not. It's another invention that is being placed in my way.
Q - Why do you think that you are always in the middle of these things? It happened in Boca, in the national team?
R - It must be that I'm not liked by alot of people.
It's hard not to read the situation as a clash of egos between Riquelme and Messi. On one side there's Riquelme who is backed 100 percent by Basile, who always makes sure to praise him in public and who has made it known to everyone that Riquelme is the undisputed leader and heart of the team.
On the other side there is Messi who is without a doubt the most talented player on the team and the team's biggest star. The only superstar on the national team. It wouldn't be hard to understand why he would be angry about the special status that Basile has given Riquelme and the existence, according to Messi, of some outward airs by Riquelme.
At the heart of this alleged fight may very well be both players desire to be the undisputed leader of the national team.
If all or even some of what is being reported is true, it is not only sad but a really troubling situation that will cause serious harm to the national team.
What happens from here on? How will Basile handle this situation?
2 comments:
The last thing we needed! Man I just don't understand it. There is so much else to think about. They both are very important to the team and the team should be above everything else. Man so frustrating.
Vamos Albiceleste
I agree completely.
I think the main issue right now is how this whole controversy will affect the team tonight.
This whole thing could not have come at a worse time.
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