Piechniczek plays down Lionel Messi’s effect in Argentina squad

Antonio Piechniczek has played down any significant threat Lionel Messi would have when Argentina clashes with Poland in the World Cup group stage in Qatar.

Piechnuczek, a former coach who took Poland to the 1982 World Cup in Spain, opined that the Seventh time Ballon d’Or winner does not have the needed momentum to cause a stir in the World Cup.

He stressed that Messi, having left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is struggling to replicate the same form at Camp Nou in Paris The Trumpet gathered.

Piechniczek posited that the contest would have been more interesting if Messi was a bit younger but as a player who is fast aging, he is skeptical about what role the Argentina striker will fit into.

According to TVC, he said: “It would have been more interesting if Messi was five or six years younger.

“Let’s be honest, Messi is now the grandfather of the forest. He’s no longer the player he was a few years ago and it remains to be seen what role he’ll play at the World Cup,” he added.

Following, the former Poland coach ascribed the role Zlatan Ibrahimovic does for Sweden to Messi adding that the Argentine Boss Lionel Scolina may play the striker from the bench.

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However, he muttered that Messi can be sensational sometimes but judging from his present form with PSG, the player could have less to offer on the pitch.

He said: “It’s possible that he could be on the bench, given his current level.

“He can play a role like Zlatan Ibrahimovic with Sweden. He’ll play the last 15-20 minutes, coming on as a substitute.

“He could have a sensational tournament, I can’t rule it out. There are always surprises.

“But seeing how he looks with PSG, he’s not the same Messi as before, ” he added.

More so, Argentina’s national team was drawn in the same ‘Group C’ alongside Poland, Saudi Arabia, and North American side Mexico for the Qatar 2022 World Cup in November.