“Messi continues like a 20-year-old boy,” Burusaga praised in an interview with Agence France-Presse.

Jorge Burruchaga entered Argentina’s history as the scorer of the goal that gave his country its second and, to date, last world title, in the 1986 Mexico Cup. Now, in Qatar, he has expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi in an interview with AFP, and is confident that the star He could do the same thing he did in Sunday’s final.

With 2-2 on the scoreboard, Burruchaga – now 60 years old – scored the 3-2 winner over West Germany at the Azteca Stadium in the 84th minute, writing a page in the history of the ‘Maradona generation’. Messi, 35, appears to be his last chance to repeat that glory.

Question: Is Messi from the Qatar World Cup 2022 the weight of Maradona from 1986?

The answer: “Without a doubt. Like (coach Carlos) Bilardo told us from the first moment in these eight years that we lived with him that the team was Maradona and ten others, that choice was Messi and ten others. He is the best in the world for twenty years. He plays in a different way, Commensurate with his age and the team around him. He provides more passes, does his dribbles, but maybe eight or four years less. In Brazil (for the Copa America title in 2021) that weight has been lifted from his shoulders and we are looking at another Messi.”

Q: Would Messi’s place in history change if he didn’t win the World Cup on Sunday?

A: “This should never be raised. Messi will never be more or less than Maradona, or anyone else, win or lose. Messi will go down in history. There are five players in the last 70 years who have made a mark by being the best in history.” World: Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Pele, Maradona, Messi. Four are from South America. Messi will be there, win or not. I hope he wins the World Cup, which we as Argentina want. In his last challenge, because of the many criticisms leveled at him, those The story he didn’t feel in his shirt. He’s 35 and still looks like a 20-something boy.”

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Q: What do you think of the semi-final match that Argentina beat Croatia?

A: “A great game for Argentina. Except for the first twenty-five minutes, where there was intense contention and they controlled the game with possession, then the team knew how to balance. The two goals before the break were the decisive and the second stage was a one-way match, in which Argentina was a team Real, and Messi was at full capacity.

Q: What does that historic goal in the 1986 final mean to you?

A: “It was the happiest moment of my life. Let’s face it, the repercussions weren’t what they are now, the numbers weren’t what they are now (laughs). Today everything is much bigger, today everything is faster. But without a doubt, I kept it. In my heart, I keep it in my pictures, I keep it when I want to remember it and think of it again, and more so at this stage of the World Cup. It’s been 36 years, half my life. With that I feel satisfied, because I have achieved what very few have achieved.”

Q: How was your return to Argentina after that title in Mexico?

A: “Bilardo forced us to return to Argentina after the World Cup. Now times have changed. It was great because when you see your country that welcomes you, with supporters of all Argentine football teams and all categories, there is no better reward than seeing the joy of these people, young and old “.

Q: What is your assessment of football in the World Cup in Qatar?

A: Until now, I didn’t really like the World Cup. Honestly, I haven’t seen any great matches, except for example England vs France (in the quarter-finals), which in my opinion was the best match because 90 minutes was good, it was the match that would have been worth extra time, if (English Harry) Kane had converted Penalty kick at the end. Other than that, I didn’t see great matches, they were just bland matches. I thought the players would come more relaxed and I saw teams walking on the field. I haven’t seen great solo shows. Neymar was injured, (Cristiano) Ronaldo didn’t play. It was a strange World Cup. Germany was quickly eliminated and the favorites lost at least one match. I don’t think it’s a good World Cup.”

d / bsr / xy