Former Argentina manager Gerardo Martino has rejected all claims that Lionel Messi influences Argentian team selection.
There was intense speculation regarding Messi’s authority in the Argentian football association. Numerous reports suggested the Barcelona star could have been behind Jorge Sampaoli’s decision to snub Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi for the World Cup campaign.
Martino who is currently managing Atalanta United in MLS led the Albiceleste to two consecutive Copa America finals but couldn’t get past the final hurdle. Messi has taken a time off from international duties after a relatively underwhelming World Cup and he is unlikely to return soon.
Martino said, “We should never have to do whatever Messi says. I did not pay attention to him, not even in the national team.
“But that is the myth that has been formed. But it is not just me, a lot of people have said it, but of course you won’t believe it from me…
“It is not me who is denying it, the facts deny it. When you look at what happened in the 2014 World Cup, who was left out, who came back in 2015 when everyone said they wouldn’t, who came back in 2017.
“When that happens and shows it’s not true people are maintaining something for the sake of it, without sitting down to think about the facts.
That is the problem we have in Argentina, we do not sit down and think. There is another issue, besides: it depends who said it and we cannot sit down and discuss that.”
