Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho did not hesitate to show his incredible admiration for one Argentina teammate after he called him the “best in the world.”
Alejandro Garnacho and Manchester United teammate Lisandro Martinez have been away on international duty with Argentina for this summer’s Copa America.
Lisandro Martinez has regularly played for the 2022 World Cup champions as part of their Copa America title defence in the United States.
However, Garnacho has seen his playing time at the 2024 Copa America limited under Lionel Scaloni, despite impressing at Old Trafford last season.
The 20-year-old Spain-born winger has had to settle for a place on the bench in four of Argentina’s five matches at the tournament so far.
Garnacho’s only appearance at the Copa America came with his rare start in the 2-0 win over Peru after Argentina already secured their place in the knockout rounds.
The United star played 66 minutes in the Group A encounter against Peru before Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni withdrew Garnacho for Nicolas Gonzalez.
Garnacho’s admiration for Argentina star
According to Bolavip, Alejandro Garnacho took part in a Q&A alongside Argentina teammates Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul.
The aforementioned trio were asked to name a player they wished was Argentinian, with Leandro Paredes picking former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar.
However, Garnacho did not pick a single player and instead said that Argentina have the “best in the world,” which would be a nod to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.
“We have the best in the world,” he said.
The Manchester United winger has been known to be an admirer of club legend Cristiano Ronaldo, despite playing alongside Lionel Messi on the international stage.
Responding to the question, Rodrigo De Paul said (as per a translation): “I’m happy with what we have.”
Scaloni on Garnacho’s lack of time at Copa America
Garnacho made his Argentina debut under Lionel Scaloni in 2023 and has been capped six times for the defending World Cup champions.
Scaloni admitted last month that Garnacho’s lack of playing time at the Copa America came down to the options he already has in his Argentina squad.
Speaking ahead of the Peru match, he said: “[If] I need to put him in, someone else has to come out.
“It is very easy for you, but it is not easy for me to make that decision.”
Scaloni added: “We would love for him [Garnacho] to play because he is a boy who gives us a very good freshness, but when you make the game plan, he has the intention that maybe he can come in, and then the game changes.
“He still hasn’t had the opportunity, but we hope to give it to him and that he can take advantage of it.
“If he does it well, he makes it difficult for both the coach and his teammate.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
