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'The big, big division in Argentina is over Messi'

Listen to the full interview above via the podcast We have seen the outpouring of joy in Germany...



'The big, big division in...
Soccer

'The big, big division in Argentina is over Messi'

Listen to the full interview above via the podcast

We have seen the outpouring of joy in Germany after their World Cup achievement, but how have Argentina reacted after losing Sunday's final?

We caught up with Marcela Mora y Araujo in Argentina on tonight's show and she revealed some of the divisions among the country's media and public, particularly when it comes to talisman and captain Lionel Messi. 

"The jury is still out but there is an enormous sense of pride that it's not losing a final or coming second. It's more like sub champions," said Mora y Araujo.

"There's also enormous frustration. Tearful people, children in tears, adults in tears. A lot of questions like why was Lavezzi taken off, what happened to Messi. And the big, big division is regarding Messi."  

Albiceleste legends Diego Maradona and Mario Kempes have been in the vanguard of those critical of Messi getting the Golden Ball, while Mora y Araujo also explained that many Argentinians have also leapt to the Barcelona man's defence.

Mora y Araujo also added that president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner played a key role in assuaging the mood by giving a light-hearted reception for the players upon their return home. 

Mora y Araujo was speaking to us from Rosario, the hometown of Messi, Ángel Di María, Ezequiel Garay, Maxi Rodríguez and Ezequiel Lavezzi, and she revealed that the city is also divided to an extent about Messi.

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