After the 1-1 against Venezuela marked by a playing field full of water due to the rains, La Pulga lamented because this prevented Argentina from displaying its best version.
The captain of the Argentine National Team, Lionel Messi, referred to the poor condition of the playing field and the large amount of water accumulated in it due to the rains in Maturín: “We could not make two passes in a row.” From the start – delayed as a result of the rain – the match was marked by water accumulated on the grass, something that made rolling the ball very difficult. In this regard, La Pulga lamented the state of the field and assured that it was a determining factor for the final tie: «It is very difficult, the match becomes stuck, very ugly. We couldn’t make two passes in a row. In the second half, on the right, maybe a little more, but it is very difficult to play like that.
«The field did not help us do what we want to do. We had to play another game that we had not prepared for, but that we already know: fight for the second ball, win the duels, play with the opponent’s mistake and not risk too much. You couldn’t play behind, in the first half we made a couple of backward passes, the water stopped the ball and made it difficult for us. “We played the game we had to play with this field,” added La Pulga.
Messi, his long absence with the Argentine National Team and the happiness of playing in the country again
Likewise, Leo celebrated his return to the Argentine National Team after an absence that dated back to the 2024 Copa América final, as a result of his ankle ligament injury. The captain assured that the wait “was long”, but he was happy to return and happy about what his next game will be, in Buenos Aires.
«The wait was long. It was a long time away, I missed many games with the club. Happy to return, to continue having continuity and to be here again,” said the Inter Miami player. He then explained how the decision to extend his return was made, something that led to him being absent from the last double-header of the Qualifiers, against Chile and Colombia: “I hadn’t played yet, I had trained little. I wasn’t 100 percent physically, my ankle was bothering me. We both decided that I wasn’t there, that the best thing was to stay and train and finish getting well.”
Now, the Albiceleste’s next game will be on October 15, at the Monumental, against Bolivia, something that excited Messi on what will be his return to Buenos Aires: «I miss playing in Argentina again. “We have a long trip back, a couple of days to rest and prepare for the game.”
