He faced Maradona, trained three players of the current national team and now coaches in El Salvador

Throughout his 18 years as a professional player, Daniel Messina played for 12 teams in six different countries.He made his debut at River in 1980 and the following year he had his first milestone in his career: he faced Diego Maradona in the Argentine soccer Superclásico.

He spent three years in River to then move to Liniers and play in Velez, where he spent one season. Then it was Huracán’s turn before emigrating to Bolivia to play in Blooming. Europe knocked on his door the following year and he went to Elche and then returned to South America: Unión Española of Chile, Colegio San Agustín of Peru, Huachipato of Chile and Águila of El Salvador completed his career abroad.

The last four years were in the Argentine ascent. First in General Lamadridthen in Estudiantes de Buenos Aires and finally in Excursionistas.

As a coach he returned to his roots and in a turbulent institutional era of River he managed the fifth division in 2010. There he had, among others, Gonzalo Montiel, Enzo Fernandez and Exequiel Palacios.

In 2014 he had his first experience as a first division coach. It was in El Salvador, leading Eagle, club where he had played during his time as a footballer. He left his position during the pandemic and returned now.

At the moment Messina He runs an academy that trains footballers. From the Daniel Messina Football School, in the Area Chica Complex in Martínez, several footballers emerged who are currently standing out in the Argentine tournament, such as Federico Girotti.

That Superclásico against Maradona

“Playing with Diego and against Diego is, for the footballers of my generation, the best thing that could have happened to us.. That Superclásico was unforgettable, in which he scored two goals against none other than an outstanding player like (Ubaldo) “Pato” Fillol,” he declared. Messina on the radio show Bring the roundof radio assembly.

But that game was not his only contact with Maradona. Messina also trained with the national team and there, of course, was Diego, who was two years older than him. “He was at every training session, he never missed a single one. His ability to play with his laces untied was unmatched. He didn’t step on them, incredible.”he continued.

“It was complete, extraordinary. I am grateful to life for giving me that opportunity,” he concluded.

“His boys” in the National Team

Having addressed to Montiel It is inevitable to ask him about that penalty that he had at his feet and gave the Argentine National Team its third World Championship. “It was always known that Montiel would become a professional because of his behavior and tenacity. As a child, he would watch all the divisions to accompany the different teams. They are kids who worked very hard and fate and life put them in that place, which will do them good in their careers.”.

Palacios had a tremendous season at Bayer Leverkusen, a team that was a sensation in Europe and lost just one game all season. “It’s very nice to see them in that place. One feels satisfied because at some point they corrected aspects, marked paths in terms of discipline, respect and everything that River gives you as an institution.”.

The case of Enzo Fernández was different. In his early years he did not seem to have as much deployment as he does now and that Messina he stressed. “Enzo Fernández’s evolution was incredible physically and in terms of my body type,” he said, before talking a little about his game: “He is very lively, he plays well forward and on the wings. I like Enzo more as a mixed midfielder, where he always developed.”he concluded.