Argentine Gabriel Calderón, a former star of the Argentina national team, believes that Lionel Messi made the right decision by ending his international career, noting that the Tango captain chose to retire on his own terms and at the appropriate time.
Yalla Kora conducted an interview with Calderón, who lived through Diego Maradona's era and shared with him the 1979 Youth World Cup title, and was also part of the Argentina squad in the 1990 World Cup final against Germany. In the interview, he discussed the differences between the ends of Maradona's and Messi's careers, the pressures both faced, along with his memories of the World Cup.
Here is the text of the interview:
How do you see the difference between the end of Maradona's international career and Messi's decision to retire?
There is certainly a difference; everyone knows what happened with Maradona. He was suspended during a World Cup and couldn't complete his journey, whereas Messi reached the end of his career and chose himself the moment to stop.
What was your feeling when you learned about Messi's decision?
I think he made a very good decision. Messi has reached 39 years old and is approaching 40, yet he continued delivering amazing performances until his final years.
He gave everything he had, scored goals, and made a difference in the World Cup. Therefore, I believe this was the right time. I completely agree with him because it is better for Messi himself to decide when to leave the national team, rather than age or declining performance forcing him out.
In your opinion, what is the main reason behind his decision?
Intelligence, maturity, and logic. I don't think there is any other reason. When you reach the age of 40 after being the best player in the world for more than 15 years, you know very well your physical capabilities and the right moment to stop.
What is impressive is that he continued delivering high-level performances even at this age, but he knows his body better than anyone else. Therefore, I see this decision as a reflection of his maturity and intelligence.
Do you think Messi was treated unfairly by Argentine fans in previous periods?
For me, yes, specifically by some Argentines. There were those who criticized Messi because he was the best player in the world for many years, yet he didn't perform at the same level with the Argentina national team.
However, I don't believe the responsibility lay with Messi. The problem during some periods was that coaches failed to build a team that would help him deliver his best.
Which coach succeeded in doing that?
Sabella was among the coaches who managed to lead Messi to the 2014 World Cup final. Afterward, Scaloni succeeded in building a team capable of utilizing Messi even at an advanced stage of his career.
In earlier periods, there were some people who attacked Messi. They weren't many, but they existed. After the World Cup in Qatar, the perspective of these people changed, and almost everyone agreed with the view held by most Argentines for years: that Messi is the best.
Do you think pressure affected Messi more than Maradona?
No, Messi always knew how to handle pressure, and so did Maradona. Maradona was the best player in the world during his era and endured enormous pressure throughout his career. He played in two World Cup finals and participated in several World Cup tournaments.
He had an exceptional personality, never ran away from pressure, and was a wonderful teammate within the national team.
Looking back at your career now... Is there anything you wish you could have changed?
I am very happy with the career I had. There is only one thing I wished had happened: winning the World Cup in 1990.
We lost the final against Germany, and I still remember the incident where I was fouled inside the penalty area about 12 minutes before the end of the match, but no penalty was awarded to us.
If that penalty had been given, perhaps the result of the match and the entire history of the World Cup would have changed. Apart from that, I am happy with everything I achieved in my career.
How do you recall Argentina's journey in the 1990 World Cup?
Everyone knows what happened in that tournament. Perhaps we didn't play the best football, but we were a very cohesive and highly competitive team.
We faced many difficulties and overcame everything until we reached the final. That's why I repeat: if the penalty I suffered against Germany had been awarded, we might have won the title.
If you were asked to choose one unforgettable match in your career... which would you pick?
It is very difficult to choose just one match, but at the international level, the 1979 Youth World Cup final against the Soviet Union in Japan, when we won the title, will remain one of the most important matches of my life.
And certainly the 1990 World Cup final against Germany, despite the loss. Reaching a World Cup final is the ultimate dream for any football player, and I experienced both: winning a Youth World Cup title and reaching the senior World Cup final.
Therefore, it is very difficult for me to choose just one match, especially since I also have many club matches that remain etched in my memory.
