Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi
Football legend, Diego Maradona has requested a meeting with Argentina players in an attempt to inspire the struggling squad ahead of their crucial final World Cup group game against Nigeria on Tuesday.
While speaking with Venezuelan TV channel, Telesur, Maradona said he would bring along other Argentina greats of the past for the motivational talk.
He said; “I would love to hold a meeting with them, with (Nery) Pumpido, with (Sergio) Goycochea, with (Claudio) Caniggia, with (Pedro) Troglio, even with (Daniel) Passarella if he wants to come, and with (Jorge) Valdano.
“We’re going to defend our honour, boys. It cost us too much to be where we are for Croatia to come and hit us for three goals and to leave with our arms crossed without anyone putting a foot in.”
Argentina who are two-time world champions must beat Nigeria in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday if they are to avoid a premature exit from the World Cup following a disastrous 3-0 defeat by Croatia.
Speaking further, Maradona who has criticised coach Jorge Sampaoli and striker, Sergio Aguero in recent days, also took aim at Argentina Football Association (AFA) president, Claudio Tapia, in his latest outburst.
He said; “I’m furious and very upset inside, because anyone who wore that (Argentina) shirt can’t see it being trampled like that by a Croatian team that isn’t Germany, that isn’t Brazil, that isn’t Holland or Spain.
“But there is a guilty party and the culprit is the president of the AFA. Everyone just accepted it when Sampaoli came in with computers, with drones, with 14 assistants. I think there is a total lack of authority on Tapia’s part.”
Meanwhile, earlier today it has been reported that Sergio Aguero will miss the game against Nigeria because of a conflict with coach Jorge Sampaoli:
International sports writer, Jose Alvarez wrote; "Kun Aguero WON’T play in the decisive match against Nigeria. Sampaoli will punish him for everything that happened the other day but publicly will justify it by sport reasons.
"Then will be out Argentina’s only goal scorer in the World Cup that has played two very good games."
Following the new development, Juventus striker, Gonzalo Higuian will likely replace Aguero while goalkeeper, Willy Caballero will be replaced by Franco Armani even though the 31-year-old will be winning his first cap.
Former Manchester United winger, Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega also come in, with Marcos Acuna and Enzo Perez dropping out.
Argentina must win against Nigeria and hope that Iceland do not win against Croatia in order to progress to the next round of the competition.
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