FIFA World Cup 2022: He can make the most of it – Nicolas Tagliafico on Lionel Messi’s leadership

Argentina defender Nicolas Tagliafico believes Lionel Messi can make the most of his leadership to get the best out of his teammates in the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Tagliafico feels Messi’s humility helps him in leading from the front.

Messi will play his fifth and final World Cup and he will look to lead his national team to glory. The talisman has had a glorious career but the World Cup trophy is still missing from his glittering cabinet.

Argentina had last won the World Cup in 1986 and they would want to go all the way in Qatar.

Nicolas Tagliafico told L’Equipe (as quoted by Get French Football News): “When you speak with him, you get the impression he’s just another player. But when you see what he can do with the ball, it’s incredible. We’ll be able to tell our grandkids we played with the greatest ever.

“That simplicity helps us stay humble. He doesn’t need words, he sets the example.”

Meanwhile, Messi was able to end his trophy drought with the national team after winning the 2021 Copa America. Tagliafico feels winning Copa America has helped Messi.

“It’s also with maturity, experience, the fact that he’s a father. When you go play in the national team with the feeling that you owe something, you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. People will always want more, but the fact that he’s won something has allowed him to free himself.

“He can make the most of it and he’s in top form.”

Argentina will begin its campaign in Qatar on Tuesday, November 22, against Saudi Arabia. Mexico and Poland are the other two teams they will face in Group C of the World Cup.