Argentine-born Mexico Coach Prepared to Knock Out Lionel Messi From the World Cup

Argentine-born Mexico Coach Prepared to Knock Out Lionel Messi From the World Cup

Isaac Darko
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
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  • The head coach of Mexican national team manager Tata Martino wants to eliminate Argentina from the 2022 World Cup
  • Mexico will lock horns with Argentina in a Group C clash of the World Cup with the winner standing a chance of qualifying for the next stage
  • Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in their opening group game, while Mexico shared honours with Poland

Mexico head coach manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino has said that he is ready to end Lionel Messi and Argentina's hope of winning this year's World Cup in Qatar.

The Argentine-born gaffer will lead El Tri to tackle La Albiceleste, who seek to overcome their opening game calamity against Saudi Arabia.

The 60-year-old was blunt in his pre-match press conference when discussing the match set to take place at Lusail Stadium on Saturday, saying he will not think twice about eliminating his home country from the Mundial.

Tata Martino, Lionel Messi, Mexico, Argentina, Qatar, 2022 World Cup
Mexico coach is ready to end Lionel Messi and Argentina from the World Cup. Photos by David Ramos
Source: Getty Images
“Mexico has to win, we will do it all for Mexico to win. There is no other answer,” Martino said on Friday via ESPN.

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“I know where I was born. I can tell you the hospital I was born in, the year I was born, describe for you my hometown in Argentina – but I need to do the impossible for Mexico to win. I cannot do any other thing.”

While Argentina suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, Mexico were held to a 0-0 drawn game with Poland in their opening Group C matches.

The pressure is now mounting on Messi and his teammates to win against the North American nation or face crashing out in the group stage of the competition.

How will Argentina and Messi qualify?

A victory against Mexico will keep the 1986 World Champions' hopes of progressing to the knockout stage, however, a defeat most likely ends their tournament.

Meanwhile, a draw would keep Argentina alive. Still, it remains a complicated road as they won’t control their destiny and will rely on other results going their way before and after their match against Mexico.

Messi's doctor wants Argentina eliminated

Meanwhile, Diego Schwarzstein, a personal doctor of Lionel Messi, has revealed why he doesn't want Argentina to win a single game at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The South American giants are among the strongest contenders to lift the trophy in Qatar and are unbeaten in 35 matches coming into the World Cup.

But Schwarzstein believes that Argentina's current government will likely use any success at the World Cup as a cover-up to make drastic decisions in the country.

Messi to quit Argentina after World Cup

Sports Brief earlier reported that Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has hinted the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is his last.

At 35 years of age, the Barcelona legend knows too well that he has entered the sunset years of his football career.

And speaking ahead of Argentina's Group C opener against Saudi Arabia, Messi suggested that he is unlikely to take part in the next World Cup set for 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)
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