Thaindian News

Kolkata, Sep 1 (IANS) Superstar Lionel Messi’s subdued performance in the Argentine national side compared to his dazzling show for Spanish club F C Barcelona has often invited criticism from fans and the media. But teammate Pablo Zabaleta chooses to disagree as he feels the striker always gives “more than his best” for the national side.

The versatile defender suggests that Messi be allowed to play in the position he finds most comfortable.

“Messi has tried more than his best whenever he has turned up in the Argentine jersey. So he should be left to play in the position he is most comfortable in,” says the 26 year old Zabaleta, known for being equally effective as a right back or in the midfield.

Known for his fierce competitiveness and determination, the Manchester City player says Friday’s FIFA Official International Friendly against Venezuela here would provide the Argentine footballers a chance to cement their place in the national team under new coach Alejandro Sabella.

“It is going to be a very tough match. Venezuela are a very good team,” says the 1985 born.

Asked about his knowledge of India, he speaks about the huge population and the craze for cricket. “I know football is not that popular”.

But he says the match has provided an opportunity for the Argentines to “meet different people, see different people, and show to the Indians we are a very good team.”

Having plied his trade for Argentina’s San Lorenzo and Spain’s Espanyol, the Buenos Aires born Zabaleta switched to England’s Manchester City in the summer of 2009 and already has a great fan following there for his no-nonsense approach.

The disputed Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean east of Argentina had led the Latin American nation to war with United Kingdom in 1982. Four years later, Maradona’s “hand of god” goal against England in the World Cup quarter finals furthered embittered relations between the peoples of the two countries.

However, Zabaleta says he has had no problems in England.

“English people are very good. I have been playing there. That (Falklands and Hand of God goal) has never been talked about. I never felt that affected my relations with the English. Whenever I meet English people they give me the respect I deserve.”

To a poser from a scribe that the Argentine national side have failed to succeed in recent years though the country exports the maximum number of players to Europe, Zabaleta said: “It is true that earlier only Argentina and Brazil used to export footballers to European clubs. But in the last few years, teams like Venezuela and Ecuador have also come up in exporting players to Europe.”