DIEGO MARADONA HAS requested a meeting with Argentina’s players in an attempt to inspire the struggling squad ahead of their crucial final World Cup group game against Nigeria.
The two-time world champions must beat Nigeria in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday if they are to avoid a premature exit following a disastrous 3-0 defeat by Croatia.
He said he would bring along other Argentina greats of the past for the motivational talk.
“I would love to hold a meeting with them, with (Nery) Pumpido, with (Sergio) Goycochea, with (Claudio) Caniggia, with (Pedro) Troglio, even with (Daniel) Passarella if he wants to come, and with (Jorge) Valdano,” Maradona told Venezuelan TV channel Telesur.
“We’re going to defend our honour, boys. It cost us too much to be where we are for Croatia to come and hit us for three goals and to leave with our arms crossed without anyone putting a foot in.”
Maradona, who has criticised coach Jorge Sampaoli and striker Sergio Aguero in recent days, also took aim at Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia in his latest outburst.
I’m furious and very upset inside, because anyone who wore that (Argentina) shirt can’t see it being trampled like that by a Croatian team that isn’t Germany, that isn’t Brazil, that isn’t Holland or Spain,” he said.
“But there is a guilty party and the culprit is the president of the AFA. Everyone just accepted it when Sampaoli came in with computers, with drones, with 14 assistants.
“I think there is a total lack of authority on Tapia’s part.”
Javier Mascherano, one of the squad’s senior players, denied on Sunday that there was a rift between Sampaoli and the players.
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Cannot believe this, absolutely devastated. Rallying has lost a special, special person.
Desperately sad news. I remember sitting in Craig’s car when I was younger during the rally of the lakes thinking life can’t get any better than this. A legend, and a gent. RIP.
@Seán O’Sullivan: lovely story, the best part being it wasn’t lost on him how much joy that would have brought to a young rally fan, coz he was probably also thinking life doesn’t get better than this. Taken way too soon, but through his infectious positivity and heartwarming raw emotion, he experienced more happiness than most of us could wish for, I’m just glad that I got to feed off some of that. Rally Finland in 2016 was just so brilliant, he never let the politics dampen his enthusiasm for his passion, rest easy Craig.
Rip
Oh my god I am heartbroken, rip Craig, rest easy up there with Jaffa.
Absolutely devastating news, he has been a great ambassador for Ireland and motorsport. A really talented driver and a really decent person. Condolences to his family and friends, he’ll be a massive loss to the motoring community. RIP.
A true great gone, can’t believe it
So sad. RIP Craig. My confidence to family and friends. Sad loss for Irish sport
I am absolutely gutted for his family and friends, never had the good fortune to have met him but have been following his career for years. A very sad day. My deepest sympathies.
Horrific news. RIP
We are totally speechless and numb
A true irish legend so so Sorry to Craig’s family
From all you followers in ashbourne co meath
RIP Craig Breen.terrible news to hear.
Condolences to his family and friends
May the Lord spare him
R.I.P
RIP Craig Breen. Condolences to his family and friends.