Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has hit out at Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso following his recent comments about the difficulty of World Cup qualification routes for South American teams.
Gattuso had claimed that European sides do not fully understand the challenges faced by CONMEBOL nations. Speaking to the media after Italy’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Moldova, he said it was unfair that European teams had to go through playoffs, as the qualifying groups were evenly balanced. “Seeing that saddens me a little,” he added.
Martinez was quick to respond, highlighting the different playing conditions in South America. The goalkeeper pointed out the difference in pitch quality, stating, “They [the Europeans] always play on perfect, watered courts. They don’t know what it’s like to play in South America.”
This is not the first time the quality of South American football has been questioned. In 2022, French star Kylian Mbappe made similar remarks, suggesting that the standards were different and that European football was more advanced.
Argentina have already secured their place for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finishing at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifiers table. In contrast, Italy will have to battle through the playoffs after finishing second, level on points with France.
Back in 2022, Argentina captain Lionel Messi also responded to Mbappe’s comments. Messi expressed his dissatisfaction, emphasizing the importance of South American teams in world football. He said:
“Everyone values what they play. The Euros are very important, but it leaves out Argentina, three-time world champion; Brazil, five-time world champion; Uruguay, two-time world champion. There are many world champions left out to say that the Euros is the most difficult, right? In the World Cup, the best teams are there, all the world champions are generally there. That’s why everyone wants to be world champion.”
Later that year, Argentina clinched the FIFA World Cup title, just months after Messi’s rebuttal to Mbappe’s remarks.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-they-know-like-play-south-america-argentina-star-emi-martinez-hits-back-italy-coach-criticism-wc-qualifiers
