“There is no player who is prepared to take over from Messi because he is the best in history” | INTERVIEW

Everyone wants to be close to him, have a photo, an autograph. But few people know him as a person. One of them is Verónica Brunati, a renowned Argentine journalist who has followed the entire career of Lionel Messi. In this interview he talks about the ’10’ that This Monday he would receive his eighth Ballon d’Or, far surpassing his closest pursuer, Cristiano Ronaldo (5). In addition, he makes an analysis of what the start of the Qualifiers left us with.

-What feelings does this devastating start of Argentina in the Qualifiers leave you?

The superiority that exists with respect to the rest is evident. But what this beginning is also showing us is the validity of his game and its evolution with new performers. The entire structure of the team, beyond the names, has the ability to sustain a style of play that makes it a very difficult team to counter.

-And how do you see the rest of the South American teams?

The situations are very different. Peru has to find its game after what was the era with Ricardo Gareca. Colombia, for its part, is making an important generational change. Brazil today cannot find its way, it has an interim coach like Fernando Diniz, who is qualified, but who is also aware of Fluminense and that does not help either. Uruguay has found a line of play with the arrival of Bielsa, but it costs the player a bit due to the rigor of his style.

-And Venezuela, Peru’s next rival?

I think that Venezuela has found with Sergio Batista a long-term project, but with very clear ideas. The coach’s work has begun to be seen in the selection.

-Were you surprised by Peru’s level at the start of the Qualifiers? One point out of twelve possible, zero shots on goal in 360 minutes.

It has a lot to do with the fact that it is a new process. The coach must find the performers for his style of play. Generational changes at the national team level are never easy. They will have to continue working to find the best exponents and a way of playing that breaks with this situation.

-How have you seen Paolo Guerrero in these last games?

He is an extraordinary player, with a surprising vigor. But he cannot be held fully responsible for the attack. He is very alone. We must find the best performers, understanding his age, that he probably cannot play all the games, beyond the fact that he is an emblem of Peruvian soccer and one of the best forwards that South America has produced in its history. Peru does not have to be dependent on Paolo Guerrero.

-Which players would you rescue from the Peruvian team at the start of the Qualifiers?

Pedro Gallese. It is spectacular, one of the highest points in Peru. Although it must be understood that sometimes it is not just finding the players, but also the operation. Sometimes the absence of great figures is made up for with good performance, with a clear idea and commitment from the players. I feel that Peru is under construction.

-Beyond the fact that the places for the World Cup increased, today the Qualifiers give you time to build?

It is true that there is no time. But I am not very aware of the talent training program in Peru. In Venezuela and Argentina it is being done very well. The path will always be to strengthen the basic forces of the clubs and, therefore, the national team.

-Is Argentina the best team in the world right now?

It is the world champion team. But beyond the victories, due to her game, conviction and solidity of her style, she remains the best in the world. I have not seen in the Qualifiers, even in the European ones, a team with so much dominance and so much sustained conviction in its idea of ​​the game. It is spectacular that Argentina continues to maintain its level after winning the World Cup.

-Why is Argentina maintaining the level?

There are several fundamental pillars. First there is long-term work with a coaching staff that has very clear ideas, with values ​​and principles. They have established a communion with a group of players who in turn are going through a great individual moment. In addition, there is an internal harmony that allows the work to be very bearable. In this group, players are friends, not just teammates.

-Is it the best selection in its history?

It’s hard to compare. The contexts are different. In Argentina in ’78, for example, there was no training center for the national team like the one that exists today. César Menotti had to travel to the interior of the country to recruit talent. There was no technology to closely follow those playing outside. In 1986, Carlos Bilardo did not have at his disposal the budget that he has today for development. Menotti had started working on youth selection divisions, but it was very irregular, it depended a lot on sporting success, the clubs did not give up the players. Today, the AFA is organized and the team has stability to work with.

-For connection with the people, for having an outstanding figure… Does this Messi selection look like Maradona’s ’86?

The ’86 team did not start well. Before the World Cup in Mexico, coach Carlos Bilardo himself was resisted. Later, with the consecration, an identification occurred that has marked many generations. I am part of one of those generations. On the other hand, from then on the bar was raised and all subsequent teams were required to win the World Cup. That happened to Lionel Messi.

-And this team responded by winning three titles: Copa América, World Cup and Finalísima…

And if. That’s why the fan’s joy is total. People do anything crazy to see the national team, Messi. They travel from any corner of the country. Tickets sell out in a matter of minutes and we are talking about a stadium (Monumental de River) that houses more than 70 thousand people.

-What do you feel in Argentina when you see Messi starting some games on the substitute bench? Are you thinking about retiring him?

None of us Argentines want to talk about the year of Messi’s retirement. For us he can play until the day he wants. We understand, however, that this situation is part of the natural passage of time. But I also tell you that before the injury that sidelined him for three weeks, he was a scorer for Inter Miami and gave them their first titles. We are seeing him enjoy himself in Miami and that is what matters to us, that he is happy. Then if he has to play 40 or five minutes, it is part of a process that has to do with Messi knowing how much he can demand of his body. And we respect it.

-Is the Argentine team prepared for the day when he is not there? The victories against Bolivia and Paraguay make us think so, although later he appears with a double like against Peru and the situation changes drastically…

In reality, no one can prepare for when Messi is not there. We know what Maradona’s absence meant, which is why it is difficult to talk about the Argentine team without Messi. What happened against Bolivia and Paraguay is that Argentina was able to play with Leo on the bench, but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way.

-Who is the player closest to taking over from Messi?

I think there is no player who is prepared to take Messi’s mantle because he is the best player in history. And I don’t think it’s fair to put that backpack on any player either. I don’t think any of them can be compared and put at Leo’s level.

-But sooner or later that backpack will fall on some player, just as it happened with Maradona-Messi. Or do you think it won’t happen like that?

I don’t think so. It seems to me that we all understand how superlative Messi is. We know that one day he will no longer be there, but I don’t think anyone, having seen what was experienced with the Maradona-Messi comparisons, would want to carry a heavy backpack on a player.

-Today we are seeing a Maradonian Messi?

That slogan is from the press. Messi is Messi. Of course, today he is a more mature Messi, who exercises his leadership from other places, unlike other moments of the national team due to a logical question of evolution, age and experiences. Messi with a World Cup is not the same as with six World Cups. Messi without children is not the same as one with three. All the changes he experienced have helped him be who he is today. He won the Copa América in 2021 also because he took off his backpack to win something with the national team.

-Can the culé fan still dream of Messi’s return to Barcelona?

For now, Messi is going to continue at Inter Miami. He is going to fulfill his contract. And these months when the club will not play official competitions in the United States, they plan to play some friendlies.

-Messi is about to receive his eighth Ballon d’Or. Is the award deserved?

That he receives his Ballon d’Or means that he is the best player in the world. France Football evaluates the World Cup year and deserves it even more for Argentina’s conquest. I think he cannot be compared to any other player with Lionel Messi. Did Haaland deserve the Ballon d’Or this year? Clear! He won the treble with Manchester City and was the team’s top scorer. But as long as Messi continues to compete at this level, he is incomparable. A good season for Messi is the best season for any other footballer. He is on another level, almost there should be another award for him and another for the rest.