Lionel Messi Is A 'Silent Leader' And 'Genius,' Says Former Argentina Coach

Former Argentina national team head coach Jorge Sampaoli has heaped praise on Lionel Messi, calling him a "silent leader" and a soccer "genius."

Sampoli closely worked with Messi for a little over a year between 2017 and 2018 when the former was appointed the head coach of Argentina. Sampoli's main task as Argentina's manager was the Russia World Cup, which was a year away from the time of his appointment.

There have been reports suggesting that Messi and Sampoli did not get along, but the coach still praised the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star forward.

"Directing Messi is directing a genius, he is a person who is above everyone, he knows even when are you going to lose and when are you going to win? With two glances he gives you a parameter of what is happening, he is a silent leader, but he understands what is going to happen," Sampaoli told Chilean outlet ADN Deportes, according to Goal.com.

While Messi has not won the FIFA World Cup yet with Argentina, he clinched his maiden international trophy when he captained La Albiceleste to the Copa America title last year by beating Brazil in the final.

"He [Messi] knows when the team that has prepared itself has no chance of winning, he knows, beyond his technical abilities and his ability to read the game, that's why he's a genius," Sampoli reportedly said in the same interview.

The Argentinian manager did not have the best of times with the national side. Argentina struggled during the qualifiers, and it took a Messi hat trick in Ecuador to seal their place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Messi and Co were eliminated from the tournament following their 4-3 loss to France in the Round of 16.

Soon after that, the Argentine Football Association announced that Sampaoli had stepped down from his role as the national side's head coach by mutual consent.

The international break in soccer is currently underway, and Messi is with Argentina ahead of their friendly fixtures against Honduras on Sept. 23 and Jamaica on Sept. 27. These games will be crucial for Argentina, keeping in mind the Qatar World Cup, which will be held from Nov. 20 to Dec.18.

Argentina are once again among the favorites to win the World Cup, which is set to begin later this year in Qatar. Meanwhile, Messi suggested that the upcoming edition of the World Cup could be his last at the international level.