Alejandro Garnacho sparks fury at centre of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo row

Alejandro Garnacho hopes to be included in Argentina’s World Cup squad and play alongside Lionel Messi following his breakout at Manchester United, where Cristiano Ronaldo has taken him under his wing

Alejandro Garnacho has built up a good rapport with Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United fans can’t get enough of Alejandro Garnacho – but it seems that some of his admirers in Argentina are beginning to grow tired of his Cristiano Ronaldo love-in.

The teenage sensation has been the breakout star of Erik ten Hag ‘s first season at United, registering two more assists on Thursday after being brought on as a substitute in the Red Devils’ dramatic 4-2 victory over Aston Villa in the EFL Cup. With hopes of representing Argentina at the World Cup this month, it’s not as rosy for Garnacho on the international front as back in Manchester.

Spanish-born but opting to play for the Albiceleste at international level through his family heritage, a debate has ensued over whether the 18-year-old winger should be on the plane to Qatar – one which has also involved his “idol,” Ronaldo.

That’s because none other than Lionel Messi captains Argentina, with most young teammates hailing him as their inspiration. But with Garnacho spending more time with the Portuguese megastar, who’s Messi’s eternal rival, Ronaldo has become his mentor. With Garnahco frequently calling his senior teammate the greatest of all-time on social media alongside a heap of photos, the United duo have formed a bond which not all look kindly upon.

On Argentine television channel TyC Sports, as relayed by Sport Witness, presenter Ariel Rodriguez sparked a row when he suggested that Garnacho should called up, particularly due to Albiceleste star Paulo Dybala not looking like he’ll be fit enough to feature at the tournament.

“I don’t have doubts,” Rodriguez declared. “I’m going straight to England, Manchester United. I imagine Garnacho [playing].” Pundit Guido Glait emphatically disagreed, though, noting how few Premier League minutes – 65 – the Old Trafford wonderkid has to his name.

Lionel Messi will captain Alejandro Garnacho if the pair both play at the World Cup (

Image:

Elsa/Getty Images)

“Please. He has one and a half games in the first division,” Glait bemoaned, then going on to question Garnacho’s legitimacy to play for Argentina, claiming that he “doesn’t know” the country during a rant which referenced various aspects of Argentine culture.

“He does not speak Spanish, he does not know dulce de leche, he never used a birome, he does not know the ‘Caminito’, he does not know the 9th of July,” the pundit fumed. “And third, the most important thing: he said that his idol is Cristiano Ronaldo. How is he going to say that? He didn’t understand anything. Messi plays in the Argentine national team.”

Obviously, Garnacho speaks fluent Spanish thanks to growing up in Madrid, but the defiant Glait noted that tongue isn’t the same Spanish which they speak in Argentina.

Have your say! Does Garnacho deserve to go to the World Cup? Join the debate in the comments section.

Alejandro Garnacho provided two assists in Man Utd’s 4-2 victory over Aston Vila (

Image:

Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

“Let’s not make trout because the grandmother’s grandmother is Argentine,” he raged on. “If we have too many players. And I don’t like the last name. He speaks a language that is not ours, he doesn’t say ‘che’, he doesn’t say ‘chabón’ and he doesn’t eat choripán.”

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni will confirm his 26-man squad – who’ll no-doubt be among the favourites to win the tournament – before the weekend, with Garnacho firmly in contention for a ticket to Qatar. However, his club boss has admitted that call-up could be premature.

“It’s a big step to go to a World Cup, the best players in the world come together,” Ten Hag admitted after the Red Devils’ win against Villa. “I don’t know if that’s the right step for him. He has to keep his head clean, stay calm, work hard and develop, go from game to game.”