"I said (in 1986) let me have Maradona for 30 days and then we'll talk. Messi has to have a good World Cup and he can do it," Bilbardo Said on Wednesday on www.ole.com.ar
"Diego talks a lot to him (Messi). He's one of the best players in the world and we have to get him to play to his best," Bilbardo added.
Messi, a candidate for Europe's Ballon d'Or FIFA World Player Award has been finding it hard to produce his brilliant form as he does for Barcelona. But the Argentine fans have been blaming Maradona for Messi's and the international team's performance thus far. Now Argentina is in danger of failing to reach the finals for the first time since 1970. Maradona being at the centre of all the media criticism for his team selection and tactics, and Messi who is also being hounded by the press for his performance.
"Argentina played well for the first 20 minutes against Brazil, against Ecuador, with Uruguay - and there were matches in which they didn't play well," Bilardo said.
The Argentines now have to prove themselves over the next few matches, otherwise Maradona will need a new job even before the 2010 World Cup starts.
Source: www.supersport.com
