Carlos Bilardo, one of Argentina’s most iconic football figures and the coach who led the national team to World Cup glory in 1986, recently shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi’s legacy in a candid interview. While he praised Messi as the best player in the world today, Bilardo made it clear that true greatness—on par with legends like Diego Maradona and Pelé—can only be achieved by lifting the World Cup.
For fans following Bangla Cricket Live and keeping an eye on global sports narratives, Bilardo’s words echo the universal theme of legacy being defined on the biggest stages. In his interview with Brazil’s Folha de S.Paulo, Bilardo remarked, “Messi is always compared to Maradona, but to truly reach his level, he must win the World Cup for Argentina.”
Looking ahead to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Bilardo emphasized the importance of giving Messi complete freedom on the field. “He shouldn’t be tasked with any defensive duties,” he insisted, suggesting that Messi’s creativity and brilliance flourish when he is unshackled from tactical burdens. The veteran coach expressed optimism about Argentina’s chances, stating, “This team has great potential and a real shot at the title.”
Comparing the 2018 squad to the one that narrowly lost to Germany in the 2014 final, Bilardo believes Argentina could perform even better this time around. “We were already good in 2014, arguably better than Germany. This team can go further,” he said.
However, he didn’t shy away from addressing Argentina’s shocking 1-6 defeat to Spain in a recent friendly, which he believes exposed serious flaws. “That kind of loss definitely leaves a mark. You can’t concede six goals in one match and expect everything to continue smoothly,” Bilardo warned. He criticized the players’ lack of passion, saying, “They weren’t playing with heart. They don’t understand what it means to wear the Argentina jersey.”
Even so, Bilardo considered the timing of the setback a blessing in disguise. “It’s better to face these issues now than during the World Cup itself,” he noted. Wrapping up, Bilardo predicted few surprises in the tournament, naming Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Spain, and France as the five top contenders.
For those immersed in Bangla Cricket Live, where passion and national pride run deep, Bilardo’s message resonates strongly. Just as cricket heroes must rise to the occasion for their countries, Messi’s legacy hinges on delivering football’s most coveted prize. As the countdown to the World Cup begins, the world waits to see if Messi can finally reach the summit of greatness.