“We want him to always be on the front page of all newspapers” - Argentina star on team’s feelings for Lionel Messi
Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul has confirmed his admiration and support and that of the Argentina national team for Lionel Messi. The 30-year-old, who has been nicknamed Messi’s bodyguard, revealed that it is the joy of the Argentina national team that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is always the talking point in the media.
Before the 2022 FIFA World Cup began, the camaraderie between Lionel Messi and his fellow national team players was obvious. Even goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said before the tournament that he and his national teammates are like lions who fight for Messi.
In what will forever be a memorable moment for La Albiceleste players under Lionel Scaloni, they defeated France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final and clinched the 2024 Copa America by defeating Colombia. While Messi couldn’t play the entirety of the game against Colombia after he was tearfully subbed off with an apparent right ankle injury, his teammates ensured his tears turned to joy as Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time.
The respect and love that Lionel Messi has been receiving lately from his national teammates is undeniable. Now Rodrigo de Paul has revealed that they all do that in good faith for the Inter Miami man. He said (via All About Argentina):
“Messi is the captain of the ship. Everything we do for him, we do it gladly. We want him to always be on the front page of all the newspapers, and we push from behind.”
Former Chile international claims Rodrigo de Paul only plays for Argentina because he is Lionel Messi’s friend
Ex-Chile midfielder Patricio Mardones believes that Rodrigo de Paul still receives calls from Argentina coaches simply because he is Lionel Messi’s friend rather than his abilities on the pitch. Mardones' comments came after Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on September 6.
De Paul played the entire minutes of the game as Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala got themselves on the scoresheet for La Albiceleste. After the match, Patricio Mardones was critical of Rodrigo de Paul (TNT Sports Argentina):
“There is a nasty player, Rodrigo De Paul. Watching the match between Argentina and Chile, I would tell him on the pitch 'wow, you're bad'. He is a limited player who works hard. He has very good team-mates who make up for that limitation. I would have told him: ‘You are bad and you play because you are a friend of Messi.' De Paul makes me feel that way, he's a very unpleasant guy.”