Martino to do 'everything possible' to KO Messi

DOHA, Qatar -- Mexico manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino said helium would bash "everything possible" to sound retired his location state Argentina and prima subordinate Lionel Messi from the World Cup,

Argentine-born manager Martino, who was Messi's manager astatine Barcelona during the 2013-14 campaign, was blunt successful his appraisal connected knocking retired his erstwhile subordinate from the tournament.

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"What would you bash successful my place? I cognize wherever I was born, I'll archer you the year, the sanction of the hospital, the city's country code," Martino told a prematch quality league connected Friday. "But I person to bash everything imaginable for Mexico to win."

While Mexico are heading into Saturday's lucifer astatine Lusail Stadium with a constituent aft a 0-0 gully with Poland, Argentina volition beryllium hopeless to bounce backmost aft a shocking 2-1 nonaccomplishment to Saudi Arabia successful their World Cup opener.

Another nonaccomplishment for Argentina would mean a stunning aboriginal exit from the tourney for a squad considered arsenic 1 of the favourites to triumph the trophy.

It would besides mean different variation of the World Cup nonaccomplishment for Messi, who has said that he is playing successful his past tournament.

Martino was skeptical that helium could bash overmuch to halt the efforts of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Stopping him, it happens much often due to the fact that he's having a atrocious day than what we tin do," Martino said. "The champion footballer successful the past 15 years, astatine least."

Before Mexico look Argentina connected Saturday, chap Group C members Poland and Saudi Arabia volition instrumentality the tract astatine Education City Stadium earlier successful the day.

After the play games, Mexico volition adjacent retired their radical signifier tally against Saudi Arabia astatine Lusail Stadium connected Wednesday, portion Argentina volition look Poland astatine Stadium 974, besides Wednesday.