"They don't give him the ball all the time" – Argentina legend Mario Kempes on watching Lionel Messi play for national team
Argentina legend Mario Kempes has claimed that Lionel Messi is currently happier than before despite his growing age as he can rely on his national teammates from time to time.
During a recent interview with FIFA, Kempes was queried to share his thoughts on witnessing the Inter Miami attacker in action for La Albiceleste now. He responded:
"I feel calm because you know he can go and win you the game just like that. And he's a lot calmer now because he knows his team-mates can shoulder the burden too. They don't give him the ball all the time."
Kempes, who helped Argentina lift the 1978 World Cup trophy, added:
"They start moves and then give him the ball so he can score or pull a rabbit out of the hat. But until he gets on the ball in the final third, it's the rest of the team that does the playing. I think he's happier and fresher because of that."
Messi, 37, recently guided Argentina to Copa America glory despite picking up an ankle injury in the final match against Colombia. He was substituted off in the 66th minute of the contest before Lautaro Martinez's 112th-minute winner at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Angel Di Maria suggests Argentina players won Copa America trophy for Lionel Messi
After La Albiceleste's 1-0 Copa America final win over Colombia this Sunday (July 14), Angel Di Maria opined on the recent triumph and Lionel Messi's injury. The 36-year-old elaborated (h/t India Today):
"The truth is I'm not happy because he had to leave that way because of his ankle problem. But finally today, we were able to win it for him. Give him joy he deserves. It was a great night."
Di Maria, who hung up his boots for Argentina after Sunday's win, said:
"It seems easy but it's very difficult. We experienced what it was like to be on the other side for 10 or 11 years. We tried as hard as we could but couldn't win [a major tournament]. Now we're having success and we have to enjoy it."
Messi was part of La Albiceleste's three successive final losses at a major tournament, while Di Maria was part of two of them, missing the 2014 World Cup final due to injury. However, both players are now one-time World Cup winner and two-time Copa America champion.
Messi, who has now lifted a staggering 45 trophies in his career, has recorded 109 goals and 58 assists in 187 appearances for Argentina.