6 Mar 2014 01:58 PM EST
-by Alex Mangini, Staff Writer; Image: Diego Marandona (Image Source: Neogeolegend / Wikimedia Commons)
Legendary Argentina player and former national team manager Diego Maradona explained Wednesday that he was “delighted” to see Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo win the Ballon d’Or over Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, expressing his belief that his countryman would now be motivated to perform at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
The 26-year-old striker had captured the award for four consecutive years before being unseated by the Portuguese dynamo.
Maradona, however, believes the Argentine star will be able to funnel his disappointment into dominance this summer.
“Thanks to his age and the experience gained in these years, this is the World Cup which is best for [Messi],” Maradona told La Nacion. “Even the time out with injury was good for him. I was also delighted when they gave Cristiano the Ballon d’Or. He who adjusts himself best will win, and Leo has already adjusted.”
Maradona, a former manager of Messi, won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986. Many see this year’s squad as a favorite to bring the trophy back to the country.
Still, Maradona opined, the Barca superstar does not need any more validation.
“Messi does not need to win the World Cup to be the best player in the world,” Maradona said. “That has nothing to do with it -- we should not confuse being fat with a swollen belly. To win the World Cup would be monstrous for Argentina, it would be monstrous for the fans, and it would be monstrous for Leo. But winning a World Cup or not winning a World Cup does not take away any of what he has done to be where he is.”
“I have the memory of South Africa,” he said of the Argentine’s failures four years ago. “I can still hear, and I believe I will always be able to hear, the sound of Leo crying when we were knocked out against Germany.”
“He came up to me and I told him that he would have a pile of World Cups to get revenge,” he continued. “I said it to him with the heart. They were all thinking about the return, about their tickets... and he was there, distraught, crying. That is something very strong, something that the Argentine people need to know. Because when people say he does not ‘feel’ the shirt, does not sing the anthem -- those who say that are fools.”
“For Leo it will be a test of character, to take out all the hurt he has inside his heart. Brazil 2014 could be his great revenge. ”