)
Chile icon Patricio Mardones has claimed a certain Argentine player only gets game time because of his close relationship with Lionel Messi.
Chile football icon, Patricio Mardones, has launched a scathing attack on Argentine midfielder, Rodrigo De Paul, suggesting that his continued selection for the national team is due to his friendship with Lionel Messi rather than his abilities on the pitch.
Mardones' criticism came after Argentina's 3-0 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifying match, in which De Paul played the full 90 minutes.
Despite De Paul's impressive trophy haul with the Argentine national team, the Chilean icon believes he is massively overrated.
READ MORE: ‘It had to be me' - Dybala gives reason why he took Messi’s iconic jersey
Rodrigo De Paul accused of benefiting from Messi influence
"There is a nasty player, Rodrigo De Paul," Mardones said via GOAL.
)
)
"Watching the match between Argentina and Chile, I would tell him on the pitch, 'Wow, you're bad'."
Mardones continued, "He is a limited player who works hard. He has very good teammates who make up for that limitation. I would have told him, 'You are bad and you play because you are a friend of Messi.'
Mardones' harsh words also extended to De Paul's personality, saying, "De Paul makes me feel that way, he's a very unpleasant guy."
It's worth noting that De Paul has won 70 caps for Argentina, scoring two goals, and was a key member of the teams that won several international titles, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)