Josip Juranovic hailed Lionel Messi’s genius after his Croatia side was knocked out of the World Cup last night.
The Celtic fullback was a standout in the previous match as his national side knocked out tournament favourites Brazil to progress to the semi-final.
He expertly dealt with the danger of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, as Juranovic was dubbed as the man of the match by many pundits.
Argentina seemed like one game too many for Zlatko Dalić’s side, who once again defied the odds at a World Cup.
It now looks as though it is written in the stars for Messi and co to go achieve World Cup glory as it is likely to be the 35-year-old’s final World Cup.
Having had such a successful football career, it is the only trophy that alludes him, which he will want to make amends for as the script looks like it is being perfectly written.
Sometimes in football, you just have to hold your hands up, which is exactly what Juranovic did after the match but they didn’t seem best pleased after the performance of the referee.
“Before the penalty-kick, we had a shot on goal and we should have won a corner,” said Josip Juranovic as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“Those little mistakes turned the game in their favour.
“Luck was on their side, but what can I say…there is one Leo Messi.
“For me, he is the best player in the world, when he receives the ball he works miracles and wonders.
Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Semi Final – Argentina v Croatia – Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar – December 13, 2022 Argentina’s Lionel Messi in action with Croatia’s Josip Juranovic REUTERS/Carl Recine
“The Argentines looked at our game against Brazil and prepared for us.
“I can’t say we were tired. If necessary, we will give the last atom of strength.
“We started the game well, but we lacked the final pass.
“Argentina have a lot of good players and I congratulate them on advancing. But still Messi is the one, there is no more to say.
“What’s it like to play against him?
“It’s a dream, but we wanted to win the game, so I wouldn’t look at it that way.”
There’s no doubt that Juranovic was living the dream up until the tie but shall now remain in Qatar to compete in the third-place play-off, meaning he may not return to action for Celtic until after Christmas.
As the defender is expected to leave the Scottish champions in January, Ange Postecoglou may decide to wrap the 27-year-old up in cotton wool.
