Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Lionel Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo claim made about Argentina star’s struggles
ARGENTINA coach Jorge Sampaoli thinks it is unfair to compare Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo at the moment.
Messi has struggled to shine at the World Cup and Argentina are on the brink of elimination after a 3-0 defat to Croatia in their World Cup group game last night.
Ronaldo on the other hand has been majestic, striking four goals in his first two games.
And Sampoli has explained why Messi has been unable to stamp his authority on the tournament.
“I think Cristiano is a great player - you can look at all he has achieved as a player with his club and his country,” Sampaoli said.
I think because of the reality of the Argentinian squad, it clouds Leo's brilliance
"Right now we shouldn't compare these two players.
“I think because of the reality of the Argentinian squad, it clouds Leo's brilliance.
“Leo is limited because the team doesn't gel ideally with him as it should.
"As coaches, we need to realise these things and try to deal with them and I'm the one that needs to accept it."
And Sampaoli has also attempted to apologise over Argentina’s displays, adding: “I don't know about shame, but I definitely feel pain," he said.
"It's been a long time as a coach since I've been through this experience and it's much more painful when I'm wearing the jersey of my country.
“Our plan for this match didn't work out and we need to see what happens and put everything we have into the last opportunity to fight and give it out all. We have no other alternative.
"There's pain because we weren't at the level that the Argentinian people expect of us."