Argentina coach Diego Maradona says his star striker Lionel Messi is maturing quickly with the World Cup ready to start in 2 1/2 months. Maradona spoke Wednesday about the Barcelona forward and said he was able to speak with most of his star players on a recent tour of Europe.
Messi scored 10 goals in a string of four games recently,and is facing ever increasing comparisons to Maradona,who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and a second-place finish in 1990.
8220;It8217;s fantastic,I8217;m really happy about it,8221; Maradona said. 8220;He is maturing in giants steps.8221;
Messi will face tremendous pressure to produce for the Argentina team the way he has for Barcleona. Despite leading Barcelona to the Champions League title last season,the 22-year-old Messi has yet to produce many keys goals for the Gauchos.
Argentina plays in Group B in the World Cup with Nigeria,South Korea and Greece. Argentina will leave for South Africa after playing Canada in a friendly on May 24 in Buenos Aires.