"Leo Messi didn't have a year to be among the best." In such a categoric manner, the former Barcelona (2013-14) and Argentina (2014-169 coach Tata Martino has taken merit away from The Best award won by Messi in September.
In an interview with the channel TUDN MEX (Televisa Univisión Deportes Network México), the now Mexico coach looked at events in the football world recently.
Tata also spoke about Mexico's 4-0 loss against Argentina in a friendly last month following an 11 game run without tasting defeat since he took over.
"We were in control but untimely errors mark how the game developed," he said. "No one imagined that final result."
On his victorious spell in MLS with Atlanta United: "I felt like a kid playing video games there because we built the team from nothing and, fortunately, everything worked.
"At some point, MLS will have the same importance as the NBA because it's a great spectacle and they're starting to see MLS as a step towards Europe."