Venezuela: Messi cautions against over-confidence

Argentina’s star Lionel Messi on Wednesday was respectful of Venezuela, ahead of their quarter-final clash in the Copa America Centernario.

After the game against Bolivia, Messi said “Venezuela is a complicated rival. If the team got here, it is because they deserve to be here. Venezuela comes from a very complicated group and almost finished top.”

The victory against Bolivia allowed Argentina to finish as leader of Group D with a perfect record including 10 goals in favor and just one against. They will face Venezuela, the second place of Group C, but Messi prefers to be cautious.

Read also: Prime FC dump Kano Pillars out of Federation Cup

Messi added “we have to prepare the game as we always do, to try to keep the same level because we are going to face a tough rival.”

Meanwhile, coach Gerardo Martino said facing Venezuela in the quarter-finals marks “the beginning of a decisive stage” of the regional tournament.

“Venezuela played a great match (against Mexico). They have lots of strengths and great players. A decisive stage will begin, where teams are forced to win if they want to stay alive. We hope to be at the right level,” Martino said.

The game against Venezuela will be played on Saturday at Foxborough Stadium in Massachusetts.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now