Croatia's incredible 3-0 victory over Argentina on Thursday evening was a dark day in the footballing history of the South American nation, and it has left Ricardo Caruso Lombardi declaring that Lionel Messi played badly to throw Jorge Sampaoli into the fire.



Criticism for the Argentine playmaker back in his home country has been scathing, although Sampaoli himself hasn't avoided the ire of his compatriots.

"Messi has devoured seven coaches, I have the feeling Messi played badly on purpose to throw Sampaoli into the fire," he explained.

"They should throw him out, Messi doesn't care about anything, he plays in the opposite way to the coach.

"He always wants to be surrounded by the players he likes, not the best players."

Mario Kempes was one of the heroes of the Albiceleste's 1978 triumph, but he too has been critical of the forward's demeanour in the World Cup so far.

"Even if he's the best player in the world, with all his achievements, everything has a beginning and an end," he intimated.

"He must be bored, tired or disgusted, he gives everything for Barcelona but doesn't for Argentina.

"I think that no matter how much people try and argue against this, this cycle is finished for everyone."

Diego Simeone appeared to spark this debate over Messi's performance when an audio recording of his conversation with German Burgos emerged in which he appeared to suggest Cristiano Ronaldo was a better fit for worse teams.



http://www.naijatwist.com/2018/06/ricardo-caruso-lombardi-messi-has.html?m=1