Throughout the years several world-class defenders have struggled when facing Lionel Messi. But there is one player who stands out above the rest and earned the title of the toughest defender Lionel Messi ever faced. And now, this same defender is set to join the Argentina National squad, a move that has him brimming with excitement and anticipation.

Lionel Scaloni and his men have been riding high since their historic FIFA World Cup victory last year. With a string of unbeaten performances, their focus now shifts to the upcoming challenges in the form of the World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. And in preparation for these crucial encounters, Scaloni has made a significant move by calling up Spanish-born Pablo Maffeo to his squad.

Pablo Maffeo shares words of excitement before representing Argentina

Pablo Maffeo, a talented 26-year-old right-back, currently plies his trade for La Liga side Mallorca. He initially represented Spain at youth level, showcasing his skills and abilities on the international stage. However, on 10th November, he decided to change his national allegiance to Argentina due to his Argentine mother after being called up by Scaloni.

This opportunity to don the famed blue and white jersey has left Maffeo feeling overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. In a recent interview, he expressed his sentiments, stating, “I am super happy, grateful, and proud to be able to defend this shirt”. He further elaborated, “The stars weigh, today it is the best National Team in the world. It’s pure illusion”.

This serves as a testament to Maffeo’s eagerness to represent his newly adopted nation on the international stage. The inclusion of Pablo Maffeo in the Argentina National squad is a significant development for Lionel Scaloni and his team. This move is sure to bolster their defensive options. Furthermore, it is worth noting that he has been labeled as the toughest defender by his soon-to-be teammate Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi names the toughest defender he has ever faced

Following his inclusion in the squad, Pablo Maffeo will have the opportunity to play alongside arguably the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi. However, this won’t be their first encounter on the field, as they have previously faced each other in Lal Liga. At that time, Messi represented FC Barcelona while Maffeo played for Girona.

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In 2020, Messi surprised everyone with a statement praising Maffeo as the toughest defender he has ever encountered. In his words, “Pablo Maffeo of Girona was the toughest. I’ve never been one who complains, but that duel was intense!”. This accolade from an 8x Ballon d’Or winner only serves to enhance Pablo Maffeo’s reputation as a soccer star.

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