Former Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has lavished praise on captain Lionel Messi, describing him as an 'untouchable' legend whose continued brilliance astonishes even his teammates. Speaking to ESPN, Tevez emphasized that Messi consistently delivers extraordinary moments that elevate his already stellar legacy.
Tevez on Messi's Impact
'We, especially my fellow players, are always amazed by [Messi]. He always seems to have one more story to tell. And even though he's come so far, he always gives us a little more,' Tevez said.
He highlighted the global admiration for the Argentine captain, noting that Messi's influence transcends national boundaries. 'But look, we Argentines are enjoying it, just like everyone else, because it's not just Argentines who are going crazy over Leo; the whole world is going crazy over him,' Tevez added.
Comparing Legends
Tevez drew parallels between Messi and Argentina's other iconic figure, Diego Maradona, stating that both are revered similarly to Brazil's Pele. 'We Argentines feel lucky to have had Maradona first and then Leo Messi. Just as Pele and many other superstars are for you or for Brazil, for us, Maradona and Messi are untouchable,' he remarked.
Argentina's World Cup Campaign
The defending champions are set to face Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 on July 3 (local time), with a spot in the Round of 16 at stake. Lionel Scaloni's side enters the knockout phase aiming to retain the title they won in Qatar in 2022. Messi, now 39, has been instrumental in Argentina's campaign, combining experience and leadership with his trademark creativity in attack.
Messi's Golden Boot Chase
Messi has enjoyed an outstanding tournament, currently joint-top of the Golden Boot standings with six goals, level with France captain Kylian Mbappe. The winner of the Argentina vs. Cabo Verde match will advance to the Round of 16, moving one step closer to lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy.
