Egypt achieves record primary budget surplus of EGP 629bn despite sharp fall in Suez Canal revenues    Escalation in Gaza, West Bank as Israeli strikes continue amid mounting international criticism    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Resumption of production at El Nasr marks strategic step towards localising automotive industry: El-Shimy    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation    United Bank achieves EGP 1.51bn net profit in H1 2025, up 26.9% year-on-year    After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war    Jordan condemns Israeli PM remarks on 'Greater Israel'    Egypt's Supreme Energy Council reviews power supply plans for 14 industrial projects    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, bilateral ties in calls with Saudi, South African counterparts    Egypt prepares to tackle seasonal air pollution in Nile Delta    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egyptian pound closes high vs. USD on Tuesday – CBE    Egypt, Colombia discuss medical support for Palestinians injured in Gaza    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Messi tells Argentina he can't win matches alone
Lionel Messi has sought to ease the pressure on him ahead of Argentina's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, saying Tuesday he couldn't win matches all on his own
Published in Ahram Online on 04 - 10 - 2011

The Barcelona star made the comments on his arrival in Buenos Aires before Friday's game at home to Chile and next Tuesday's match away to Venezuela.
Messi has never played as well for Argentina as he has for Barcelona. However, in this year's Copa America he was the best Argentine player, although the team was still knocked out in the quarterfinals on penalties by eventual champion Uruguay.
“No one player alone wins a game,” Messi told reporters. “This is true with the national team, with Barcelona and everywhere. It's important the team plays as a team.”
Messi has gone 16 games without scoring for Argentina in official matches—seven in World Cup qualifiers, five in the 2010 World Cup and four in the Copa America.
Messi will share the spotlight with new coach Alejandro Sabella, who was brought in after Sergio Batista was fired following Argentina's exit from the Copa America in July. Sabella has guided Argentina in four friendlies, but the match against Chile will be the first that really counts.
The former coach of Argentine club Estudiantes has received favorable reviews in his first matches, showing more tactical acumen than Batista or Diego Maradona.
“He (Messi) has set up more goals than any other player,” Sabella said.“There is no reason to go crazy if he is not scoring goals. Almost all of Argentina's goals come from his feet or his head.”
Sabella has dropped two regulars from Argentina's Copa America squad: Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti and Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez.
Sabella is also likely to use Boca Juniors midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme during the long qualifying process. Riquelme was discarded by Maradona but has recently led a revival at Boca Juniors.
“The World Cup qualifiers are a different kind of tournament, harder than any other,” Sabella said.
Argentina struggled in South American qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, waiting until the last match to claim the fourth and final automatic qualifying place from the continent.


Clic here to read the story from its source.