Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer has insisted that Argentina are “just an ordinary team” and that Lionel Messi “no longer scares the opponents” as his side prepare for their crucial World Cup showdown tomorrow.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the Borussia Dortmund star made it clear that Austria will not be overawed by the reigning world champions or their iconic captain. While acknowledging the magnitude of the fixture, Sabitzer adopted a defiant and unflinching tone, emphasizing that reputation alone will not decide the outcome on the pitch.
“Argentina is just an ordinary team like any other,” Sabitzer stated firmly. “This is the World Cup—the stage where one small mistake can turn everything upside down. Their history and their names don’t matter once the whistle blows. We are looking into their system, we have analyzed their movements, and we are well prepared for every scenario.”
The 30-year-old, who has been a key figure in Austria’s campaign, reserved particular focus for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi. However, rather than singling him out for special treatment, Sabitzer downplayed the threat posed by the 39-year-old legend, suggesting that the aura of invincibility that once surrounded him has faded.
“Leo? He no longer scares the opponents,” Sabitzer said bluntly. “Of course, he is a genius with the ball at his feet, and you can never switch off against him. But we are not going into this game with fear. We respect him as a player, but we do not fear him. We have a plan, and we will execute it.”
Sabitzer’s comments are likely to add extra spice to an already high-stakes encounter, with both teams battling for supremacy in their group. Austria, known for their high-pressing and disciplined defensive structure, will look to exploit any complacency from an Argentine side that has struggled at times to find its rhythm in the tournament.
“We are ready to give it our all tomorrow,” Sabitzer concluded. “We believe in our quality, and we believe we can hurt them. It’s eleven against eleven, and on our day, we can compete with anyone. We are not here just to participate—we are here to win.”
Austria will face Argentina at the iconic Lusail Stadium tomorrow evening, with kick-off set for 8 PM local time. The match promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between Sabitzer’s fearless midfield engine and Argentina’s star-studded attack.
