Fans should stop blaming Lionel Messi for Argentina’s shortcomings according to Jorge Sampaoli who is encouraging his side to share more responsibility. Messi missed a penalty and the chance to give Argentina the lead as drew their opening group game against Iceland 1-1. Sampaoli said that fans should change the way they think and not always jump to the conclusion that a disappointing result is Messi’s “fault.”
“When you score with the Argentina jersey, we all take credit for it. But when Argentina loses, it’s all Leo’s fault. I think that’s quite unfair treatment. It’s a lot of pressure for a single player to stand. I have to say I feel responsible for that missed penalty. “Messi can’t be the only guilty one,” Sampaoli added as he prepares for Thursday’s Group D game against Croatia. “I think that’s too easy a way for Argentinians to think.”
The Argentina manager is also growing increasingly frustrated with Argentina fans for continuing to draw comparisons between Messi and Diego Maradona