Argentina’s World Cup expectations lie largely on
Lionel Messi. But even if Messi’s play is bang on, it will be interesting to see how the team — winners in ‘78 and ‘86 — perform under manager
Diego Maradona.
As a player his legacy is unquestioned (he scored, arguably, the greatest goal in World Cup history, in 1986); however, “He’s not really cut out for management,” says Forrest. “What he does have is a stacked team with one of the best players in the world right now.”
That means pay attention when Lionel Messi is on the field.
FIFA’s 2009 World Player of the Year might be short (listed at 5′7″), but Messi possesses at lethal left foot and incredible dribbling ability. He’s already topped the 20-goal mark with club team Barcelona this season and a remarkable stretch in March that included a three-goal performance against Valencia. Even the biased English media have proclaimed him the best in the world.