GERARDO MARTINO

I have the advantage of having worked with Messi and Mascherano at Barcelona.

If I get a lucky win, it is difficult to sustain that over time, so we have to maintain a style.

Messi's start to 2015 has been unrivalled. His efficiency in front of goal and the amount of goals he has scored cannot be bettered.

That is the problem we have in Argentina: we do not sit down and think.

I'm an admirer of Guardiola's work.

The national team requires a work commitment but also a personal one as well. To lead your country is something very different.

Messi will continue to break records.

There are no words to describe Leo. He continues to break records every time one is put in front of him.

I have a profound respect for Juan Carlos Osorio. I think he did an amazing job with the Mexican national team.

We should never have to do whatever Messi says. I did not pay attention to him, not even in the national team. But that is the myth that has been formed. But it is not just me: a lot of people have said it, but of course you won't believe it from me... It is not me who is denying it. The facts deny it.

My priority is possession. Attack, get a lot of players in the opposition half, take risks.

It is hard to enjoy life in a national team.

My happiest time was with Paraguay. Those were five years in which I managed to find happiness.

It doesn't affect my authority if I change my stance on something. If I have to reconsider a decision, I will.

We always think that the right thing is to make an effort to have domestic coaches. I don't think that posture is bad.

Sometimes, it is logical that by analysing a player, one thinks it is better to play him in one place or another, but then, if he is good, you can be more flexible.

Messi's career is a cinema script.

I was surprised by how little they knew about me at Barcelona. You can accept that from a supermarket cashier - but not from someone who works in football.

Am I afraid of Madrid's violent play? No, every team plays according to their possibilities, and there's a referee who should judge.

It's very special to be the coach of the best player in the world.

I think when a new manager who has a specific way of playing comes to any league, he doesn't think about adapting but rather looks for ways to slowly implement his style so it can be developed for years to come.

When you have the chance to finish off your opponent, you must do it. You shouldn't give them chances to come back.

Despite being the greatest, Messi is an ordinary guy. He speaks like a normal guy, he acts like a normal guy. As a normal person, he has family, day-to-day problems in his life, friends and family, the usual.

What Barcelona almost always do is play a good game, but we don't always win.

We have ways to confront the attention that Messi gets. Some teams mark him personally; others get physical and surround him with players.