Argentina coach: ‘Stop comparing Messi and Maradona’

Argentina’s coach has urged fans to stop blaming Lionel Messi when games do not go to script and instead appreciate all their captain has done for the national side over the years.

Messi was furious with himself for missing a penalty in the South Americans’ opener against Iceland, which ended 1-1 in an inauspicious start for what may be his last chance to emulate Diego Maradona’s feat of winning a World Cup for Argentina.

“Messi can’t be the only guilty one. When he scores, all Argentines celebrate, so when he misses, we can’t jump on him alone ... that’s too easy a way to think,” said Jorge Sampaoli on the eve of their next Group D game, against Croatia.