Argentine legend Ossie Ardiles has likened Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona, convinced that supporters are absolutely \u2018loving\u2019 the other-worldly superstar\u2019s new-found aggression.<\/p>\n
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is currently setting the World Cup ablaze as he continues to inspire his nation to the ultimate international prize in football.<\/p>\n
The Argentine star was caught right smack in the center of the post-match histrionics and squabbles after feistily reprimanding Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal for talking \u2018too much\u2019 pre-match.<\/p>\n
The post-match fracas and embellishments seemed to have elicited a hidden aggression from the 35-year-old football legend world that has suddenly been impassioned and set loose under extenuating circumstances. Whilst almost the entire football world is very aware of the talent that the diminutive superstar possesses, the slight aggression hitting out at aggressors has caught some fans of the seven-time Ballon d\u2019Or awards winner by surprise.<\/p>\n
However, suffice it to say that despite this darker side of Messi revealing itself after having been embroiled in incendiary post-match trysts with Louis van Gaal and Wout Weghorst after Argentina\u2019s penalty-shootout victory in the quarter-finals, Argentine legend Ardiles is certain that this other side of Messi has been well-received by his adoring legions of Argentina fans.<\/p>\n
Ardiles, writing for the Daily Mail, said: \u201cI know in England some people were surprised at his aggressive reaction after the Holland game, the confrontation with Louis van Gaal and some Dutch players.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you have to remember the context. While England remains the No 1 European team for us to beat, Holland is the No 2. It started in 1974 when we lost 4-0 to them. So it is a long story with a lot of bad blood.<\/p>\n
\u201cVan Gaal had tried to get Messi to react before the game, inflaming the fire by talking about how Messi didn\u2019t defend well for the team. Then, during the penalties, the Dutch players were constantly trying to disrupt the Argentinian players, playing mind games by walking up to them and celebrating by them if they missed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t to justify what happened but to understand it. There was a lot going on, unsavoury scenes from both sides.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut in Argentina many people loved this new image of Messi. It wasn\u2019t normal for him. It was more of a Maradona reaction, which means the people love him even more.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe old perception was that he was cold and not passionate.\u00a0Now they his feel his desire to win for Argentina. We are Latin people. We react and show our emotions. Sometimes maybe we overreact.\u201d<\/p>\n