Strong words of commendation for Argentina’s star player Lionel Messi came from Argentine Ambassador to T&T, Marcelo Salviolo yesterday. “Messi is one of the best players in Argentina today and he worked hard during the game and in the tournament,” Salviolo said. Messi’s performance was strong in the World Cup Final yesterday and throughout the World Cup although it was not enough for them to win the tournament, he said.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany in the World Cup finals hosted in Brazil yesterday. “But we also had confidence in other players as well. We worked very hard and I am happy with the way we played. It was wonderful to be at the final,” Salviolo told the Guardian at IMAX movie theater, One Woodbrook Place, St James. Both Argentine and T&T supporters showed up at the venue with Argentine flags and football shirts to show support for Argentina.
Salviolo said it is the first time in almost quarter-century that Argentina made it this far on football’s biggest stage. “For the first time in 24 years Argentina got to be at the finals. So it was a wonderful opportunity. We got a lot of support from T&T and we are very happy for it,” he said. He said both teams worked hard in the finals yesterday and congratulated Germany. As for the future of the game in Argentina, he remained confident Argentina would continue to remain in the elite of world football.
“We have to work again and continue to work very hard and wait until 2018 for more results,” he said. He also commented on how well Brazil hosted the tournament as there were many criticisms before the start on the ability of Brazil to get stadiums ready as well as riots and civil unrest there. “I commend Brazil on how they hosted the tournament. It was very good. Brazil is our brother. We are working together in all areas of development. I must say it was a great party in Brazil,” he said.
When asked if he would contact the German Ambassador in T&T to congratulate him, Salviolo laughed and said as soon as the match ended he called his colleague to congratulate him. “Of course, I phoned him. My colleague also speaks fluent Spanish. It was a difficult fight for both teams but the Germans played well. Let us now look to 2018 in Russia!”