Mario Kempes, and the wishes of all Argentines: “I hope it’s the World Cup in Argentina and if it’s also Messi’s, even better”

Of course you know what you’re talking about. Mario Alberto Kempes. Little recognized hero of Argentine history at the World Cup, not only was he world champion, goalscorer and indispensable figure in 1978, as well as Maradona in 1986, he also has some numbers that stand out in his resume.

His 18 matches in three World Cups (74, 78 and 82), or his six goals which place him in fourth place among our top scorers in the world Cup. Interestingly, those six goals are equal to what Messi has scored so far, so that place is at serious risk here in Qatar.

But Kempes doesn’t want to talk about the past at noon in downtown Doha when he’s invited for a walk down memory lane. “Every World Cup is totally different and that (‘his’ World Cup) already happened many years ago. Today is another occasion for Argentina… well, actually, it’s always the protagonist. But I hope that this time he can be champion”.

Conmebol rewards Enrique Macaya Márquez for his 17th consecutive World Cup and the Matador pampers him with a strong phrase: “He’s also a world champion in his own”. Mario talks about the World Cup and will repeat the same concept several times about Argentina’s possibilities: “A totally different phase is starting”. He likes the team, he says so, but his experience forces him to take a break and not take everything up front like he did when he played, even with the 10 and the pressure on his back. For this reason, he insists, Mario Alberto Kempes knows what he is talking about.

-How do you see the national team?

-Argentina to date is very good, everything they have done so far has been phenomenal but it’s over, now the competition that they have really worked for begins. The moment of truth begins and I can’t wait. I see the team as good, very confident because things have been done well. Even if it is true that in principle the group shouldn’t cause many complications, the matches have to be played and to play these matches all over the world you have to be very concentrated, you don’t have to give advantages. Anyone can surprise you, but let’s hope it doesn’t.

-From your point of view, what is Scaloni’s team for?

-You have to see it, so far we have seen a great team, we will see when the World Cup starts. The great truth begins and there we will see what happens with this Selection. There is a lot of talk about Argentina, Brazil, that the Europeans dominated the last World Cup… And yes, we hope that the South American teams can go far. The possibilities are given, but it is not easy. Europeans, Africans and Asians cannot be excluded. Anyone can surprise. We have to wait, football is not an exact science. Sure: whoever wins will have to sweat. And the most important thing is not to win games before playing them.

-Will it be Messi’s World Cup?

-Let’s all hope that, four World Cups ago… I think she’s doing well, even if she’s playing in a less spectacular league than the others now, she’s managed to keep up. Let’s hope he makes it. I don’t think the fact that it could be his last World Cup is a pressure for him, as they say, he’s used to battles. And if he’s last, we’ll see.

-Personally, do you expect it to be Messi’s World Cup?

-In particular, I hope it will be the World Cup in Argentina. If Messi is the best, even better.

-But it seems that one thing is connected to the other…

-No. If Messi’s teammates understand that he can’t do everything, then I think Argentina can be world champions.

Doha, Qatar, special envoy