'Diego would be super happy for me': Messi overtakes Maradona and pays tribute to him

"Diego would be super happy for me," assured Lionel Messi, who on Wednesday became the Argentinian with the most World Cup appearances (22) ahead of his idol Diego Maradona, after the success of the Albiceleste against Poland (2 -0) ensuring him the ticket for the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.

“I learned it recently, I didn't know it.

It's a pleasure to be able to continue to achieve these kinds of records.

I think Diego would be super happy for me, because he always showed me a lot of affection, he was always happy when things went well for me,” Messi slipped into the mixed zone after the game.

The Argentinian captain, who missed a penalty just before the break (39th), however said he was "happy" with this "big game".

“We had a great game, a good game”

“We achieved our first objective, which was to get out of this first group, after starting as we did (with a 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia, editor’s note).

I was really frustrated to have missed the penalty, because I knew that a goal could change the whole match, that it makes you play in a different way... But I believe that from the penalty that I missed, the team came out stronger, “said the Pulga (chip, in Spanish).

“People on the bench encouraged me, and I think we had a great game, a good game. After the first goal, everything went our way.

We started doing again what we have been doing for so long and what we have been trying to do since the beginning of the World Cup, but which we could not achieve for various reasons.

But having been able to do it today, it gives confidence for the future, ”assured Messi.

In the round of 16, Argentina will meet Australia.

“We know that now everything is very difficult.

That whatever the opponent, it will be complicated.

We saw it recently, at our expense, that any opponent can make a good match against you and beat you.

So tomorrow, we will start preparing, ”said the striker.