“A Decision Had to Be Made”- Ex-Argentina Coach Divulges on Not Playing ‘Sad’ Lionel Messi in Crucial 2006 FIFA WC Clash

It is common for any athlete to be disappointed for not playing a crucial game. It doesn’t matter whether you are a youngster or experienced. Lionel Messi, one of the GOATs, was no exception. He was sad to see him getting no minutes in Argentina’s crucial 2006 FIFA World Cup game against Germany.

And after 17 years Ex-Argentina coach who was in charge of the team has given insights on why he doesn’t bring Messi then. We will shed light on the backstory of the decision made by the former Argentina manager in this article. 

Jose Pekerman reveals why he left Lionel Messi on the bench

Every nation comes into the World Cup intending to win. Argentina was no exception to it in 2006. Pekerman was at the helm of Argentina, with rising star Lionel Messi as part of the roster. PSG superstar was an unused sub in the first group game. Messi made the World Cup debut in the second group stage game against Serbia and Montenegro, where he scored his first goal as a substitute.

Messi started in the last game against the Netherlands, which ended in a draw, with Argentina qualifying for the knockout stage. They beat Mexico in a round of 16, where Messi again came as a substitute. But things changed in the quarter-final against Germany, as Pekerman didn’t use Messi in a crucial game. Certain situations arise that stopped Pekerman from bringing on Messi.

Recently, the former Argentine coach explained the reason for not bringing Messi on against Germany. Argentina lost the game on penalties. “I never saw the game against Germany again, I have it very clear. We lost on penalties but we played well, the players were convinced. Lio (Messi) was so sad, but he had so much time to reverse that situation… he arrived with just enough because he was 18 years old, he turned 19 in the World Cup,” Pekerman confessed to TNT Sports.

“We had things that almost never happen. Abbondanzieri was injured, Crespo, I saw Roman a little tired. There was a game like that, with three changes, there were not five like now, and a decision had to be made,” Pekerman added. He revealed the situation that led him to look to other players on the bench ahead of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

READ MORE: Hours After Being Taunted ‘Clown’ for Imitating Lionel Messi’s Celebration, Ex-Barcelona Star Riqui Puig Fires Back at LAFC’s Giorgio Chiellini

Eight years later Messi came close to winning the World Cup, but Germany beat Argentina in the final with a famous Mario Gotze goal. However, the Argentine wizard did achieve his dream and completed soccer by winning the coveted trophy last year.

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Let us know your thoughts on the contribution of Lionel Messi to Argentina winning the World Cup last year.