“Very awful player” - Fans unhappy with 26-year-old named alongside Lionel Messi in Argentina line-up to face Ecuador in Copa America quarter-final
Fans were unimpressed with Nicolás González being named alongside Lionel Messi in Argentina's starting XI to face Ecuador in the quarter-finals of 2024 Copa America. The match is set to take place on Thursday (July 4) at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Lionel Messi-led Argentina, along with Canada, Chile, and Peru, were sorted into Group A for this year's tournament. La Albiceleste topped the group, scoring nine points by winning all three of their group stage matches.
Fans flooded social media with posts, sharing their opinions on Argentina's line-up for their Copa America quarter-final clash. While some fans questioned head coach Lionel Scaloni's decision, a few criticized Nicolás González, and some believed Ángel Di María would have been a better fit for that position.
Here are some of the reactions on X:
"What did scaloni get for keeping n.gonzales?very awful player," a fan wrote.
"lol Argentina not starting Di Maria lmaoo," a user wrote.
Another added:
"what is this Gonzalez addiction"
"I don’t know what’s wrong with scaloni and starting Nico does he in anyway related to him," chimed in another fan.
One account posted:
"Why is Gonzalez ahead of Di Maria?"
Another wrote:
"Gonzalez 💀"
"Not Gonzalez he is mic," posted another.
One user wrote:
"Nico Gonzalez and Tagliafico stinking up the pitch. It's going to be a looooong morning 😭😭😭😭"
"Why is the Nico guy starting?" tweeted another.
While another wrote:
"I really don’t get why Nico Gonzalez is starting. But I hope he will do well."
Argentina have claimed the Copa America title 15 times while being runners-up 14 times, ending up in third place five times.
Argentinian captain Lionel Messi is yet to net a goal at Copa America 2024
Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi is yet to score a goal at Copa America 2024. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner did not net a goal in either of the first two matches in the group stage against Canada and Chile while he was absent for La Albiceleste's clash against Peru.
In Argentina's 2-0 win against Canada on June 20, the 37-year-old forward provided an assist to Lautaro Martínez, who netted the second goal in the 88th minute.
Lionel Messi, who made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005, has netted 108 goals and provided 58 assists in 184 appearances across all competitions for his nation.