Messi shocked at Walcott snub

Argentina star surprised at Capello's squad selection

By James Riach   Last updated: 4th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Messi shocked at Walcott snub

Walcott: Gets Messi backing

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Argentina and Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi admits he was dumbfounded by the decision not to take Theo Walcott to the World Cup.

Walcott was expected to make the plane to South Africa but England manager Fabio Capello opted to leave him at home.

The decision came despite the fact that the 21-year-old became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for England in 2008, following an excellent performance in Croatia.

And Messi points to last season's UEFA Champions League clash between Arsenal and Barcelona as another match where Walcott had a major impact.

With the Gunners trailing 2-0 and on the ropes against the Spanish champions at the Emirates, Walcott came off the bench and changed the game as Arsenal salvaged a 2-2 draw.

Messi, 23, was shocked when Capello named his World Cup squad, and believes England would have had more success if Walcott was onboard.

"I must say that at the time I thought it was a bad decision to leave Theo Walcott at home," he told the Daily Star.

"And I think that has been proved right. I can only speak from experience but he was one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against.

"Barcelona players are not scared easily but I can tell you that when we played Arsenal last season he truly worried us.

"When we were playing Arsenal at the Emirates we were so in control of the game at 2-0, with all respect Arsenal were not even in the game.

"Then Theo came on and changed the game. He pretty much single-handedly salvaged a draw against Barcelona that night.

One to watch

"Even in the return leg our manager Pep Guardiola was telling us he was the player to watch out for.

"And the best players in the world like Xavi and Gerard Pique were telling us to watch out for him. The truth is that he really rattled him.

"If he could do that against Barcelona, think what he could have done against Germany and Algeria. Even if he didn't start, he would still have been very important for England.

"Along with Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero he would have been the best impact player at the World Cup."

Messi, whose Argentina side crashed out in the quarter-finals after also being thumped by Germany, says Walcott's pace is his best asset.

He added: "Even at the top level, pace scares the world's best defenders. And, take it from me, he would scare any defender.

"When England brought on players, I don't think they were at the level to make any impact. But Walcott would have been and I still can't understand why he wasn't taken.

"He is a big-game player as well who rises to the occasion. He scored a hat-trick in Croatia, which nobody ever does and was the star against Barcelona."

Comments (28)

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Shibbir Ahmed (Arsenal fan) says...

I agree with Messi, Walcott would have made an terrific impact had he gone to south africa, what messi was saying is completely true, every defender is scared of pace, i can guarantee you that if Walcott was playing against Germany in the last 16, he would have out paced Jerome Boateng a lot of times, he would have been the match changer, if they was trailing they could have brought him on, because honestly, non of the England subs made an impact, leaving Walcott was probably the worst mistake Fabio Capello ever made.

Posted 17:25 4th July 2010

Lew A (Arsenal fan) says...

I said when he was dropped that it was a mistake and it proved to be right. He could have come off the bench and caused havoc down the right with his pace. Especially against Algeria, which was the ideal game to bring Walcott in to.

Posted 16:56 4th July 2010

Chris Lobo (Arsenal fan) says...

I completely agree with Messi, Even thought I'm a Arsenal fan I believe Theo could have made a difference to the lackluster England side.

Posted 16:53 4th July 2010

Neil Arscott (Arsenal fan) says...

I think this has just proved all the doubters along with the others who think he has no football brain, very wrong indeed, to over see Walcott and not promote that he is a product of English football like all the other countries do is a no brainer, take it from the Great Messi himself! Wallcott dont change and continue to do your thing, believing you can take your game to the next level will help, and what better way do you need to hear, other than from Messi.

Posted 16:53 4th July 2010

Anwar ugas Ugaska (Manchester United fan) says...

Spain wil take the world cup 2010 david villa wil be de topscore of de world cup

Posted 16:53 4th July 2010

Philipp Chaykin (Arsenal fan) says...

In your face, Capello! If Messi says that, it must be true!

Posted 16:52 4th July 2010

Ry Richards (Manchester United fan) says...

Perhaps Messi should stop commenting on our World Cup failure and turn his attentions to his own country's exit. At least England, after all, scored twice against those dastardly Germans...

Posted 16:44 4th July 2010

Arsenefaithful Vibes (Arsenal fan) says...

Everything Messi said is true. Capello is an Arsenal hater. How can you not choose Walcott! What a fool. Impact player with copious amount of pace. Must we send Capello to coaching school?

Posted 16:35 4th July 2010

Tim Mathews (Arsenal fan) says...

some1 who noes what hes talking about theo is the future ! THEO THEO THEO

Posted 16:31 4th July 2010

Prash Shah (Arsenal fan) says...

This is so true and has come from a Great player.

Posted 16:07 4th July 2010

Mark Williams (Manchester United fan) says...

Messi is right. Even as a United fan I do recognize that was a huge blunder from Fabio to leave Theo out. Arsne Wenger said it as well as may pandits. in football you go with the younsters, Ghana and Germany with Ozil prove to be right examples. the Engish squad with old players such as King Carragher, James etc..could not cope with the pace of young players. the US gane was a perfect example as wll as the Germany total destruction of England. It was a bad choice and Fabio needs to hears it from the FA. he is stubborn and I am convinced he would not listen.

Posted 15:58 4th July 2010

Andy P (Barcelona fan) says...

I guess what all the football pundits ignore is the psychological impact a player can have ion the pitch. I agree with messi on pretty much everything he has said re walcott

Posted 15:20 4th July 2010

Matthew Mundroina (Brighton and Hove Albion fan) says...

Agreed Messi has got this spot on, don't know why he wasn't taken i think he would of had a brilliant world cup he was fresh and really motivated after his injury problems. This for me was Capello's worst decision regarding the world cup and he he some bad decisions. ALSO feel Wilshere should of been taken too he' like a young Iniesta would of offered a different dymention to the England team rather than Gerrard and Lampard ( both do the same thing)

Posted 15:09 4th July 2010

Andy James (Arsenal fan) says...

i totally agree with what messi has said,i know theos final ball isnt always the best but his sheer pace and accelaration is enough to open up any game plus he is more dangerous in front of goal than aron lennon or shaun wright phillips who neither could hit a barn door.

Posted 15:05 4th July 2010

Liam Gerrish (Chelsea fan) says...

Shocked along with the rest of England... English manager for more than 1 attempt please.

Posted 15:03 4th July 2010

Senator Chuks (Arsenal fan) says...

well said world best! Rooney said the same but Capello thought he knew better but that would have cost him job. But he might not be so lucky next time. He decided to go with subs that cannot make impact in a game. Shame. Theo was not at his best thanks to pearce and co who insisted on using him for both senior team and Junior team as well, not withstanding he would have still made the difference any day any time even as sub player.

Posted 14:59 4th July 2010

Andy Meacock (Arsenal fan) says...

High praise indeed!

Posted 14:45 4th July 2010

Andy H (Arsenal fan) says...

Nice to see that Messi and I are on the same page!!!! Great minds think alike. Shame on you Fabio

Posted 14:32 4th July 2010

Stephanie Whitaker (Arsenal fan) says...

I think there was some politics going on here. Walcott's form had not been so good in the matches immediately prior to the squad selection. All the same, a number of out-of-form and less-than-fit players were chosen over Walcott. Had the England team played well and advanced further, then we wouldn't be reflecting on might-have-beens. Oh well, no use us girls crying over spilt milk, is there?

Posted 14:28 4th July 2010

Ross James (Arsenal fan) says...

wow thats some compliment theo and he is write. he is the fastest in the world behind rommedahl and his pace is a big weapon. also his finishing is second to none and that is why he is so dangerous. lionel messi is not stupid and he knows that theo would be a impact sub. and fabio made a huge mistake taking swp who could not get ahead of adam johnson . how does that make sense? it makes no sense at all. he was getting no game time and the fact even adam johnson did not make it either was complete nonsense.

Posted 14:27 4th July 2010
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