Source: Team_Talk
Messi shocked at Walcott snub
Argentina and Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi admits he was dumbfounded by the decision not to take Theo Walcott to the World Cup.[LNB] Walcott was expected to make the plane to South Africa but England manager Fabio Capello opted to leave him at home.[LNB]The decision came despite the fact that the 21-year-old became the youngest ever player to score a hat-trick for England in 2008, following an excellent performance in Croatia.[LNB]And Messi points to last season's Champions League clash between Arsenal and Barcelona as another match where Walcott had a major impact.[LNB]With the Gunners trailing 2-0 and on the ropes against the Spanish champions at the Emirates, Walcott came off the bench and changed the game as Arsenal salvaged a 2-2 draw.[LNB]Messi, 23, was shocked when Capello named his World Cup squad, and believes England would have had more success if Walcott was onboard.[LNB]"I must say that at the time I thought it was a bad decision to leave Theo Walcott at home," he told the Daily Star.[LNB]"And I think that has been proved right. I can only speak from experience but he was one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against.[LNB]"Barcelona players are not scared easily but I can tell you that when we played Arsenal last season he truly worried us.[LNB]"When we were playing Arsenal at the Emirates we were so in control of the game at 2-0, with all respect Arsenal were not even in the game.[LNB]"Then Theo came on and changed the game. He pretty much single-handedly salvaged a draw against Barcelona that night.[LNB]"Even in the return leg our manager Pep Guardiola was telling us he was the player to watch out for.[LNB]"And the best players in the world like Xavi and Gerard Pique were telling us to watch out for him. The truth is that he really rattled us.[LNB]"If he could do that against Barcelona, think what he could have done against Germany and Algeria. Even if he didn't start he would still have been very important for England.[LNB]"Along with Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero he would have been the best impact player at the World Cup."[LNB]Messi, whose Argentina side crashed out in the quarter-finals after also being thumped by Germany, says Walcott's pace is his best asset.[LNB]He added: "Even at the top level, pace scares the world's best defenders. And, take it from me, he would scare any defender.[LNB]"When England brought on players I don't think they were at the level to make any impact. But Walcott would have been and I still can't understand why he wasn't taken.[LNB]"He is a big-game player as well who rises to the occasion. He scored a hat-trick in Croatia, which nobody ever does and was the star against Barcelona."
