2018 FIFA World Cup: Don’t pick players on sentiments- Batistuta warns Argentina

Having played at the World Cup in the past, Gabriel Batistuta believes the Argentina technical crew should rely on players’ form and not popularity in selecting the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

In an interview published on mundoalbiceleste.com, Batistuta expressed confidence in the team to triumph over Nigeria and others in the group.

The erstwhile Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer said: “The players that should play on the national team are the ones in the best form, not the names. We are going to a World Cup that lasts a month, three weeks. We can’t play with just names. If that were the case, Maradona would still be playing.

“If it were based on names, Kempes and Fillol would still be playing. As far as Mascherano, that is something the coach has to worry about. What I can tell you is that we can’t go to the world cup with just names. We won’t do anything if we do. If the names are in form, great, if not, let’s set up a team.”

With less than two months to the Mundial, Batistuta expressed worry over the poor results recorded by the team in recent times. “I am worried that there is not a solid base in place. I hope that the coach has realized that he has 70-80 percent of the players he’s taking. What we’ve been able to see up to now is rather disconcerting, especially when it comes to the results.

“The good thing is that there are 60 days left. They will have a prudent amount of time together. They will have about 20-25 days together, working. That is a great thing,” he added.

Relishing the quality of players in the team, Batistuta said: “I think the Argentine footballers are great. There is a need to work in the back and there needs to be preparation prior to the World Cup. If they do, they can have a great World Cup and be in fine form. “If I were to separate all the lines, they don’t play at a horrible level but they are not at their maximum level. I think they can all give more individually and collectively.”

He however warned the technical crew not to over-rely on Lionel Messi as the lone striker. “Argentina’s forwards are like when you open your closet and you only have one shirt. That’s what you wear. When you have more money and get four shirts, you can now choose which shirt to wear. I always prefer to have four shirts,” Batistuta said.