Nigeria Showed Teams Don’t Fear Argentina Again – Maradona

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has revealed that Nigeria showed why teams don’t fear Argentina anymore.

The two-time world champions lost 4-2 to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in an international friendly last year despite going two goals up in the encounter.

While talking with news outlet diariopopular, Maradona also revealed that Argentina is over-reliant on Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

In his words, Maradona said: “The problem with Argentina is that we don’t have good defence and midfield. People talk about Lucas Biglia but he is not the best for me. Unfortunately they are always afraid to say it.”

“Today, except for Lionel Messi teams don’t fear Argentina again. Look at the last game against Nigeria, they nearly scored eight goals against us. In my time you know what happened when we played them.

“Jorge Sampaoli is lucky we have Messi in the team because when he is in top form he can cover the mistakes of others.

“If he hits top form in Russia, then we have 60 percent of becoming the champion with others complementing his effort.” he concluded.

Diego Maradona attained legendary status in Argentina after he almost singlehandedly propelled his native country to the 1986 FIFA World Cup title.

He has faced Nigeria at the World Cup as player (USA’94) and coach (South Africa’10).

Nigeria will renew hostilities with Argentina when this summer’s World Cup comes around with the two sides scheduled to meet in a Group D match at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018.