World Cup 2022: Nigerian Legend Claims Messi Was the Laziest, Hails Mbappe

World Cup 2022: Nigerian Legend Claims Messi Was the Laziest, Hails Mbappe

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:21 PM
In this article:
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FIFA World Cup
International
  • Lionel Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with a brilliant performance
  • The Argentine superstar received the Golden Ball awarded to the tournament's best player
  • Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami seems not impressed with Messi, saying the PSG star strolled through matches

Former Nigerian international Segun Odegbami has suggested that Argentina captain Lionel Messi was the laziest player during the just concluded FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Odegbami added that if not for the player’s legendary status, no coach would ever tolerate his attitude towards teammates.

Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title for the first time in 36 years following their 4-2 win via penalty shoot-out, after the match had ended 3-3.

Lionel Messi, Segun Odegbami, World Cup, Qatar
Lionel Messi was named the most valuable player at 2022 FIFA World Cup. Photo: ODD ANDERSEN
Source: Getty Images

Former Green Eagles star Odegbami who is fondly called the ‘Mathematical’ said Messi strolled through during most of the matches.

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He said in his weekly column to The Guardian:

“Messi is deadliest player with the ball at his feet, but must have covered the least distance of all the players in the finals.
“He strolled through most matches, only turning on his magic when the ball arrives at his lethal feet. His brilliance and touches were more than enough ‘compensation’ for his ‘laziness’.
“If he was not ‘Messi’, the god, no coach under the sun would tolerate his attitude during a match.”

The 70-year-old then hailed France striker Kylian Mbappe, saying the player has an amazing burst of speed. He added:

“Every time Mbappe got the ball, there was expectation of something spectacular to come from his shuffles, amazing burst of speed and shooting prowess even from a standing position.”

Vieira blasts Argentina for trolling Mbappe

Sports Brief earlier reported that Patrick Vieira is seemingly unimpressed with the way and manner Emiliano Martinez has constantly trolled French forward Kylian Mbappe after the World Cup final.

Martinez has been seen holding a baby with the face of Mbappe during Argentina’s open bus parade while he also led the chant against the striker in the dressing room immediately after the final.

Vieira has now called Martinez’s antics as the dark side of football as he tags Martinez’s constant trolling as stupid.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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