Guzman: Pressure On Messi Must Reduce At World Cup

Nahuel Guzman, replacement goalie for Sergio Romero in the Argentina squad has

challenged his teammates to lessen the burden on Lionel Messi at the World Cup.

Messi is expected to lead the Albiceleste at the World Cup, and the 30-year-old is

under pressure to deliver their first world cup since 1986.

Guzman, who replaced the injured Sergio Romero in Argentina’s squad, said his

team-mates needed to ease the pressure on Messi as much as they could.

“Of course Leo is a very important figure to us. We have to know how to be with

him. He has to let us too,” he told a news conference Wednesday.

“And we have to, somehow, take away the responsibility he already has. He feels

it too.

“We also have several figures to be a friend to him and make him feel good.”

Guzman added: “I’ll try to be with him at any moment. I will try to lift him up if I

see he’s doubtful. And we hope to be able to celebrate, next to him, each game.

“We have to be calm that Leo’s fine.”

Looking for a first World Cup trophy since 1986, Argentina begin their campaign

against Iceland Saturday.