Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli is under fire after footage emerged which appears to show the 58-year-old asking Lionel Messi for coaching instructions, namely whether he should bring on Sergio Aguero. There had been much talk in the build up of a squad of mutiny in the Argentina squad, and scenes at half time showing Messi conducting an impromptu team talk in the tunnel, with Sampaoli nowhere to be seen, did nothing to quell those rumours
Many reports quote the former Sevilla manager as saying 'Flea, what do I do? I put it to Kun?'.
??Messi passes a message to an official on the bench. Coach Jorge Sampaoli asks Messi “Are you bringing on Kun?” pic.twitter.com/f6G8l0GCvW
— Damian (@FootballFact101) June 27, 2018
The Manchester City striker was introduced for defender Nicolas Tagliafico, but it was Manchester United centre back Marcus Rojo who would prove the difference for La Albiceleste, expertly steering home a volley in the 86th minute to give Argentina a narrow 2-1 victory.
Messi also opened his account at the World Cup in the 14th minute delightfully controlling a pass from Ever Banega before rifling home, and the Barcelona star might have a reporter to thank for his change of fortune. After the game an Argentinian reporter asked Messi whether the 30-year-old had kept the good luck charm he had given the Argentina captain in the country's first match and Messi then stunned the journalist as he showed the item was around his ankle, and had been for the entire game:
Journalist: In the first match I gave you the good luck charm that my mother gave me, I'm not sure if you kept it or threw it away?
Messi: Look (shows he has it around his ankle)
Argentina will now face France this Saturday at 3pm in the Kazan Arena, and if the drama of the Nigeria game can be replicated, then it will be well worth a watch.
