'Wish They had Protected Diego Maradona Like That': Former Chile Footballer Makes A Sensational Claim About Lionel Messi

Former Chile footballer Miguel Angel Neira has made a sensational claim about Lionel Messi. Argentina won their record 16th Copa America title but Messi failed to complete the final. The 37-year-old had to come off the field during the final match against Colombia because of an apparent right ankle injury. The Argentine legend is not a part of the squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia due to injury issues. Messi’s injury issues have presumably prompted a surprising attack from the ex-midfielder. Miguel claimed that Messi is no longer totally committed to the Argentina football team. Miguel went on to say that even when Messi plays, he gets plenty of protection from the match officials.

“If Messi no longer plays, the worst thing that can happen to us is that he is not a starter. Now someone else is going to play and anyone is better than Messi. If he was, he is no longer, it was seen in the Copa America, in the Qualifiers, he no longer has anything to do with the Argentine National Team. They [referees] helped Messi, they protected him, I wish they had protected Diego Maradona like that,” Miguel said while speaking to Bolavip.

Lionel Messi was last seen in action during the Copa America final against Colombia earlier this year in July. Lautaro Martinez scored the solitary goal of that summit clash to earn a victory for Argentina at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino recently provided an update on Lionel Messi’s potential return to action. Martino insisted that Messi will return to the field ahead of the end of the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season.

“He is not training with the group. But yes, he is already out on the field and working with the physical trainers. He is developing well, it was foreseeable that he would not be with Argentina because he is not yet in a position to play, but we continue to see him develop. There is no estimate, because you are already starting to see how you feel as you add training on the field,” Martino had said while speaking at a news conference last month, as per ESPN.

Inter Miami are currently placed in the first place in the Eastern Conference of the MLS with 59 points from 27 games. In their last game, the Herons claimed a convincing 4-1 win against Chicago Fire FC.