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Ronald Koeman comments on whether Ramiro Funes Mori should replace Lionel Messi as Argentina captain

Funes Mori Argentina (Reuters)
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The Everton defender has been tipped for the role by a national legend.

This week has seen Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori receive a big appraisal from Argentine legend Daniel Passarella. The Argentine Wold Cup winning captain has been speaking about the captaincy for the Albiceleste. He clearly feels that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi should not be captain, putting the Everton star’s name forward as a potential replacement.

Funes Mori ArgentinaFunes Mori Argentina

He is quoted by Goal as stating:

“Not giving the captaincy of Argentina to Messi would take a weight off of him.

“I think Argentina already have a great leader, which is Ramiro Funes Mori. He should be the captain.”

Barcelona's Lionel MessiBarcelona’s Lionel Messi

Of course, this might have come as a surprise to Premier League observers. Talented as Funes Mori clearly is he has not been a regular at Everton recently. Despite this he remains a major part of the Argentina national team plans.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman would not however be too drawn on the subject. He admitted to the Liverpool Echo that his player has the temperament for such a role, but would not mention if he should take over from the great Messi:

Everton manager Ronaldo KoemanEverton manager Ronaldo Koeman

“I don’t know! That’s true, Funes is really a good defender, his personality is good.

“But whether or not Messi is captain of Argentina is not my business.”

Many Everton fans will no doubt be pleased to see the high esteem in which Funes Mori is currently being held. He is a massive prospect for the future at Everton and many feel it may be time he replaced the ageing Phil Jagielka in the Everton back-four already.

A future Argentina captain at Everton? Who’d have thought it.