The truth about the conversation between Messi & Sampaoli
The coach was not asking for permission to bring Aguero on
Jorge Sampaoli approached Lionel Messi in some of the most critical moments of the game between Argentina and Nigeria, a match which eventually ended with the Albiceleste reaching the last 16.
However, he Sampaoli did not ask Barcelona star Messi for permission to bring on Sergio Aguero, but to inform him of his plans.
Even though it has been suggested, through images from the game, that Sampaoli was asking Messi's feelings on bringing Aguero on as Argentina sought a second goal, that was not the case,
At that moment, the Argentine frontline was formed by Gonzalo Higuain and Messi. For that reason, Sampaoli spoke with Leo to tell him that he was going to bring Aguero on to play as part of a front two with Higuain.
Sampaoli asked Messi to drop back a few yards to leave space for Aguero: in concrete, he was asking him to start playing as a No.10, a position which Leo knows perfectly and can play without problems,
It was the 79th minute when Aguero came on for left-back Tagliafico. Seven minutes later, Marcos Rojo scored the goal which gave Argentina the win which carried them through to the knockout stages.
