Argentina Goalkeeper: Stop Judging Me For My Performance Against Nigeria

In a no-holds-barred interview with the Argentine media, América goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín has pleaded with fans to stop criticizing him for his performance in the national team's 4-2 loss to Nigeria in November, saying that a goalkeeper should not be rated with only one game.

Prior to the meeting in Krasnodar, Marchesín had not featured for La Albiceleste for three years before making his full international debut against the Super Eagles.

''A match does not define a goalkeeper. If Jorge gave me the opportunity to play it is because he saw I was good in my club, where I continue to work hard to earn a place,'' Marchesín told Ole Argentina.

''I do not like to lose anything. Those who know me a little know how I am. What's more, if we win and they score a goal, I'll leave with a lot of anger. And the match with Nigeria was no exception.

''I waited a lot for that opportunity and faced it with a tremendous illusion because it also came at the best moment of my career.

''It was a bit angry that there are people who criticized me without knowing how I am doing in Mexico, because maybe the league in which I play does not have much followership in our country, but I have been at a great level for a long time.''

Marchesín will find out if he has been named to Argentina's 30-man provisional World Cup roster on May 14.

Igho Kingsley