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Martinez: Messi is very important to Argentina and the world of football

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epa09990422 Lautaro Martinez (L) of Argentina celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring the opening goal during the Finalissima Conmebol - UEFA Cup of Champions soccer match between Italy and Argentina at Wembley in London, Britain, 01 June 2022. EPA/DANIEL HAMBURY
  • Post published:November 26, 2022


Argentina will look to captain Lionel Messi to help keep their World Cup hopes alive when they take on Mexico in their next Group C fixture at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Saturday evening.

Lionel Scaloni’s side will come into this fixture after they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening group stage game in Doha.

The defeat saw Argentina’s unbeaten run of 36-matches come to an end when goals by Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Mohammed Shafi Al Dawsari cancelled out Lionel Messi’s 10th minute penalty at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail on Tuesday afternoon.

Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez will play an important role in their final two group fixtures as they cannot afford to concede another defeat during the group stages.

“We keep him in mind. He was a very important person in world football, and not just for us Argentines,” said Martinez.

“Today is a sad day for everyone and hopefully tomorrow we can give happiness.

“It was difficult but we’re a united group, a strong group that knows what we want, we know about our opponents, and we’ve already overcome many things.”

Photo by EPA/DANIEL HAMBURY