"Why doesn't Messi play for Argentina like he does for Barça?"

Posted Saturday, September 14, 2013 by Marca.com

This is what Vanessa Sabella, daughter of Argentina coach, Alejandro Sabella, said when congratulating her father and the national side on 'Radio del Plata' for qualifying for the coming World Cup in Brazil.

As she did so, she also gave her view on Messi, who she believes is the current world number-one, saying "There's no denying it", although she believes he is not as good as the legendary Maradona. A while back she described the four-time Ballon d'Or winner as a "choker".

"My dad was a bit upset, but it's my opinion and I still think the same. I'm not going to deny that he has improved a bit, but I can't understand why a player like Messi is rated as the best in the world by some people. Not for me. For me it's still Maradona. If you are the best in the world, you play well for every team - for Barcelona, your country or any other team", Vanessa said when on the radio programme.

Vanessa Sabella, who supports Vélez Sarsfield, went on to explain what she meant by a "choker": "I didn't mean that blood does not run through his veins, but that he has to make more of an effort. Sometimes I wonder why he doesn't do what he does for Barcelona for his country".

Vanessa went on to add that: "Di María makes more of an effort than Messi. I saw this myself in Bolivia. Di María ran more than Messi or most of the others".

However, Vanessa's father is not so convinced.