Maradona expresses fear about Argentina saying Super Eagles defeat has cost them the fear factor

ARGENTINE football legend Diego Maradona has expressed fears about the chances of his team in the forthcoming World Cup saying that Argentina has now lost that fear factor after the team was beaten by Nigeria in a friendly last year.

In November, the Super Eagles came from two nil down to beat Argentina 4-2 in a friendly game in Russia, sparking fears in Argentina about the future of Albiceleste. Along with Croatia and Iceland, Argentina and Nigeria have been drawn in group D in the forthcoming World Cup and are scheduled to clash again in June.

Expressing fears about Argentina's prospects,  Maradona said he believes Albiceleste will have to rely on the influence of Lionel Messi to do well at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Argentina were among the favourites to lift the title having reached the final in 2014 but Maradona is concerned the team no longer command respect from opposing teams like in the past.

Maradona said: “The problem with Argentina is that we don’t have a good defence and midfield. People talk about Lucas Biglia but he is not the best for me and unfortunately they are always afraid to say it.

“Today, except for Lionel Messi teams don’t fear Argentina again. Look at the last game against Nigeria, they nearly scored eight goals against us but in my time you know what happened when we played them."

Maradona enjoyed remarkable success with the Albiceleste, having captained the side at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico which they won and is regarded by many as the greatest footballer to have ever played the game. Nigeria will face Argentina in the group stage of the World Cup at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018.

“Jorge Sampaoli is lucky we have Messi in the team because when he is in top form he can cover the mistakes of others. If he hits top form in Russia, then we have a 60% chance of becoming the champion with others complementing his effort,” Maradona added.