The legend of Argentina, Diego Maradona, did not mince words and doubts his country's chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup without Lionel Messi. The two-time World Cup champions are currently in 5th place, which means they will have to go through additional playoff matches, and the Argentinians have only won 6 out of 14 qualifying games.
With Messi suspended for four matches due to insulting a referee, Argentina suffered a 0-2 loss to the Bolivian team, and after those matches, coach Edgardo Bauza was fired. The winner of the 1986 World Cup, Maradona, did not hide his doubts about Argentina's chances of playing in Russia in 2018.
"We are in trouble," said Maradona, "without Messi, a successful qualification is very doubtful." Argentina still has matches against Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador ahead, but before that, they need to find a replacement for former coach Bauza.
