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Lionel Messi "is the only undisputed starter" as Argentina face a must-win World Cup qualifier on Aug. 31 against Uruguay, manager Jorge Sampaoli said on Tuesday.
"I have had the good fortune to arrive with the national team at the time that Messi's ban was lifted," Sampaoli said during a news conference on Tuesday. "We have the best player in the world [in Messi]. From him the team is born."
Two-time world champions Argentina are currently fifth in their qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup.
Only the top four sides will qualify directly for the tournament that is to be staged in Russia.
Sampaoli said that he will count on Messi to "shoot to the middle" or "to the right toward the middle" and seek out "players who will help his potential," to defeat Uruguay on their home turf.
"To leave Messi alone at this moment is a mistake. We need to surround him with the best players possible," he said, while acknowledging that "there are no players who have more privilege than others" with the exception of Messi.
"I have had the good fortune to arrive with the national team at the time that Messi's ban was lifted," Sampaoli said during a news conference on Tuesday. "We have the best player in the world [in Messi]. From him the team is born."
Two-time world champions Argentina are currently fifth in their qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup.
Only the top four sides will qualify directly for the tournament that is to be staged in Russia.
Sampaoli said that he will count on Messi to "shoot to the middle" or "to the right toward the middle" and seek out "players who will help his potential," to defeat Uruguay on their home turf.
"To leave Messi alone at this moment is a mistake. We need to surround him with the best players possible," he said, while acknowledging that "there are no players who have more privilege than others" with the exception of Messi.
