‘We Are Screwed’ – Maradona Predicts World Cup Doom for Argentina

‘We Are Screwed’ – Maradona Predicts World Cup Doom for Argentina

Argentina great Diego Maradona has expressed doubts over his country qualifying for the 2018 World Cup following the suspension of Lionel Messi.

Two-time World Cup winners Argentina presently occupy the fifth position – the playoff spot – after a dismal run in the CONMEBOL qualifiers that’s seen them win just six of 14 matches played so far.

Things got decidedly worse for the Albiceleste during their last outing when captain and talisman Messi was slammed a four-game ban by Fifa for insulting an official during their 1-0 win over Chile.

Argentina went on to lose the first of those matches, going down 2-0 to Bolivia in La Paz that led to coach Edgardo Bauza being sacked.

As Argentines eagerly await their fate in the coming games, Maradona, who captained them to glory in the 1986 World Cup, has questioned their capability to qualify for Russia 2018, Goal writes.

“We are screwed,” Maradona, 56, told Radio Rivadavia.

“Without Messi, qualification is doubtful.”

Argentina are yet to appoint a replacement for Bauza ahead of the remaining four qualifying games against Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.

Meanwhile, the Argentina Football Association, AFA, has lodged an appeal with Fifa in the hope of reducing the ban on Messi which has generally been criticised as excessive.