By Victor Kanayo
Former Argentina President, Mauricio Macri, has said that Lionel Messi would be elected President if he wins this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Argentina are already in the quarter-final of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Earlier in the tournament, Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina endured a disastrous start to their FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their first game.
The two-time world champions have since bounced back, securing wins over Mexico and Poland in the group stage before beating Australia 2-1 in the last 16.
Messi has emerged as Argentina’s best performer, scoring three goals and registering one assist so far.
“We would all elect him [Messi] as president, yes (laughs). The most important thing is that the team enjoy themselves, the weather is good and that’s to the credit of Scaloni,” Macri told MARCA.
On whether Argentina are among the favourites to win the quadrenial contest, Macri said, “I always said that they are among the five or six best, although there are others that look more solid. It is very even. Anything can happen. Today you see France and Brazil a little higher, but you have to go from lowest to highest and, in addition, whoever wins must always have a quota of luck, a game that you don’t deserve to win and you win it, and Argentina still hasn’t spent that share of luck.
“Instead, others have already used a bit of luck like France against Poland. And then we have Leo Messi, who is not only the best in the world, but 80% of the people in Doha want Messi to be world champion.”
Argentina will face Netherlands in the quarter-final of the global soccer fiesta.
In the last eight fixtures Portugal will battle Morocco, England engage France, while Brazil battle Croatia.
