Valverde deflects Argentina request to rest Messi
Ernesto Valverde deflected Argentina’s request to rest
Lionel Messi more in order to preserve him for the world cup, simply insisting
the Barcelona star wants to win everything for his club and country.
Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia
is eager for Messi to play less so he remains as fresh as possible when leading
his nation at the World cup.
Tapia spoke to Argentine media on Tuesday, saying he had
conversed with Barca over the prospect of “taking care” of Messi and playing
him in fewer matches.
But Valverde refused to publicly reveal any such plans when
asked in his pre-match news conference
ahead of Saturdays trip to Eibar, dodging the question by saluting the forward’s
ambition.
“I absolutely trust everybody, especially Messi, who is our
player,” Valverde told reporters.
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