Lionel Messi is universally regarded as one of the greatest soccer players ever. Recently, the legendary Cesar Luis Menotti had some words for the diminutive Argentine. It further elevates the legend of this globally acclaimed soccer legend.
César Luis Menotti, nicknamed El Flaco, is an Argentine former soccer manager and player. He achieved the remarkable feat of winning the 1978 FIFA World Cup as the head coach of the Argentina national team.
Cesar expressed in an interview with SuperDeportivoRadio, “Messi, even if he wants to play badly, he can’t. It’s the only thing he can’t do, play badly.” The Argentine coach firmly believes that Lionel Messi is incapable of having a poor performance, regardless of his intentions.
Cesar expressed his admiration for the squad members who emerged victorious in the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup, praising their outstanding achievements. Additionally, he made some surprising remarks regarding Ángel Di María.
Cesar lauded the former Manchester United and PSG star, Angel Di Maria, by stating, “Di Maria is a player who deserves the same recognition as the great footballers. I place him on the same level as Kempes, Maradona, and Messi. He has represented Argentine football like no other, leaving a lasting impact wherever he has played. Those with a deep understanding of the game hold him in incredible esteem. Those who have had the privilege of knowing him have a great affection for him.”
Barcelona’s legend, Patrick Kluivert, omits Lionel Messi from 2023 Ballon d’Or list, names 3 others ‘more deserving’
From one legend to another, Patrick Kluivert also had some strong opinions on the Argentine. Kluivert claimed that Lionel Messi doesn’t deserve to be in Ballon D’or Podium this season.
Patrick Kluivert, a former Dutch professional soccer player renowned for his striking abilities, had a successful career in the sport. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation and is particularly celebrated for his time at Barcelona. Kluivert played for Barcelona from 1998 to 2004, scoring an impressive 122 goals in 257 appearances for the club.
🎉🎁 Happy birthday to former @FCBarcelona star, @PatrickKluivert ⭐️⚽️!! pic.twitter.com/pdDLxxtfPd
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) July 1, 2023
Despite Lionel Messi’s World Cup victory in 2022 and receiving the Golden Ball award, Patrick Kluivert believes that these achievements alone are not sufficient for Messi to secure a place in the top three for the Ballon d’Or. Kluivert expressed his opinion by stating, “One of Haaland, Mbappé, or Vinícius will win the Ballon d’Or.”
Fans had strong reactions to Kluivert’s statement, expressing their disagreement with the notion that Lionel Messi should not be among the top three contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
Many fans argued that Messi’s accomplishments, including winning the World Cup and the Golden Ball, exceeded those of Kylian Mbappe and Vincius Jr. They believed that Messi deserved to be recognized among the top three candidates for the prestigious award. The Ballon d’Or for 2023 will be awarded in October end
