César Luis Menotti on the Current State of Football

He has always been clear and direct. Without mincing words, César Luis Menotti gave several quotes to La Nación newspaper about the current state of football as well as various hypothetical scenarios, such as what would have happened if Cristiano Ronaldo had joined Barcelona or if Messi had worn the Real Madrid shirt. Here are some quotes from the coach who led Argentina to victory in the 1978 World Cup.

About Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

"If Cristiano had gone to Barcelona and Messi had gone to Madrid, I don't know if Messi would be the player he is today and if Cristiano wouldn't have been even better than he already is. Do you know any player of Iniesta's caliber, who always speaks softly but eats you alive on the field? Well, that's where Messi grew up, in a place where the ball is sacred. The other one grew up with Mourinho... But he's a fucking great player, he scores 50 goals a year."

About José Mourinho

"He's an interesting character, I've heard he's a good worker, but all that he says, it's his way of life... He has had, like we all have had, a big dose of luck. I don't like that style, the ones who shout... It seems disrespectful to me."

About Pep Guardiola

"Guardiola is a fanatic, an obsessive, but also a revolutionary, the best coach of the last 30 years, without a doubt. Everyone talks about Guardiola and I don't know how many people realize that he achieved all his success at the age of 40. In this profession, you're still a kid at that age. I won the World Cup at 39, but I didn't feel like a truly good coach until I managed Barcelona."

About Diego Simeone

"In cinema, there are movies that I don't like, but they are very good. For example, horror movies. I can't stand them, like the ones with talking dolls, like the one Campanella made, Metegol? I can't even watch them. But that doesn't mean they aren't great movies. Once they said that I said, 'I don't like horror movies, that's why I don't go watch Atlético de Madrid.' No, no, I would never say that."