Sunday is Messi’s 31st birthday, but it won’t be a very happy one for the Barcelona superstar as Argentinian football goes through one of its biggest crises in history. Saturday saw a meeting between players and coach Jorge Sampaoli before training, as rumours circulated that the relationship had broken down to the point that the squad would decide their own tactics and set-up to face Nigeria.
Internally, that has been denied and Argentinian Football Association president Claudio Tapia has echoed that publicly. The consequences of a thrashing from Croatia have been severe with it clear that many, from within the squad to those in the stands, unhappy with Sampaoli. Tapia will continue to support the former Chile and Sevilla coach until the end of the tournament. Argentina will take on Super Eagles of Nigeria in a clash of Titans on Tuesday 26th June in Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg