Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana adores Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, and has explained his soft spot for him.
Kekana, gutted that Bafana Bafana missed out on Qatar 2022, wants Messi to lift the coveted trophy in Qatar. The FIFA World Cup roars to life on Sunday, 20 November, with the final set for 18 December 2022.
The ex-Sundowns captain is one of those who believe Qatar’s edition is Messi’s last shot at FIFA World Cup glory. He insists it is ‘now or never’ for the Little Magician.
Messi, aged 35, is set to lead Argentina in his fifth and potentially last FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar.
The FIFA World Cup has eluded Messi, who has had a breathtaking and colourful career. He has only won one major trophy with Argentina, the 2021 Copa America. The former Bafana midfielder says it’s about time Messi gets his hands on the FIFA World Cup trophy.
KEKANA BACKS MESSI TO WIN WORLD CUP
Kekana believes there will be a new champion crowned in Qatar, either Argentina or Belgium.
“I have a soft spot for Lionel Messi simply because I have met him personally,” said Kekana.
“And I know what he puts into the game, and I believe he deserves to win the World Cup.
“Messi is a player that we can agree and disagree is the world’s best. I believe he is the best.”
However, there is concern in the Argentina camp as Messi was spotted doing light training alone. This was three days before the nation’s World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia.
This has triggered speculation that Messi might be nursing an injury.
However, reports indicate that Messi was training alone as a “precautionary” as a result of muscle fatigue.
The Argentina captain, Messi, was on the sidelines for his club PSG earlier this month due to an inflamed Achilles tendon. But there, the Argentina national team is confident that their star player won’t be missing in action against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Argentina in Group C, along with Mexica, Poland and Saudi Arabia, head into the Qatar spectacle as one of the favourites.
The World Cup gets underway on Sunday, with the host nation Qatar taking on Ecuador (18:00).
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