Robert Ayala has spoken about his relationship with Diego Maradona moreover, detailed the role played by Lionel Messi in the Argentina setup. The former defender is on Lionel Scaloni’s coaching faculty with the Albiceleste.
Ayala, speaking in Libero with comments held up Diario Sports, was full of praise for Lionel Messi, with who he briefly shared a dressing room when they were at opposite ends of their international careers.
“He is a beast,” Ayala said. “He is someone ordinary, who wants to be treated as one of the others. But he plays so beautifully, so well.
” I enjoyed having him as a teammate and I enjoy having him here. He is a reference in every sense because of the significance he holds for his teammates and how he communicates. He wants to be here, and he feels the national team. Hopefully, destiny will give him something with this shirt, because he is looking for it and wants it more than anyone.”
Moreover, Ayala made clear that Messi is very much the leader of the Argentine team. “Messi is a leader with his game and also with his words. I heed it by his behavior with his teammates. When I see how they handle themselves, you realize you are looking at a reference.” He said.
Ayala touched on his relationship with Maradona, with who he became close friends. ” it’s hard to talk about him because whatever you say will never be enough.”
Ayala referred to a gift the late Maradona gave him after a charity match in Morocco. He said the game ended and they both sitting in the locker room, Messi took off the captain’s tape and gave it to him. Ayala says that he didn’t know what to do. He never asked anyone for anything. But he says he asked Messi if he could sign it for him, and Messi dedicated it to him.