【明報專訊】With the 2018 World Cup less than a month away, Diego Maradona (馬拉當拿) , the veteran legendary Argentine footballer, is critical of the current line-up of the Argentine team, saying that his country had "lost a lot of respect, with Messi (美斯) the exception".

The atomic flea

Can Argentine soccer shine without Lionel Messi? Nicknamed "the atomic flea", Messi is short but agile. He not only represents the best of football but is also constantly pushing back the boundaries of what a forward is capable of doing. He is a five-time winner of the FIFA Player of the Year (世界足球先生).

The bromance

Crowned "King of Goal" by the media, Sergio Aguero (阿古路) has scored about 200 goals since he joined Manchester City. His friendship with Messi began long ago when they were in the training camp of the national team, where they shared the same room and the bromance (兄弟手足之情) developed. It is uncertain whether he can join the World Cup after he had a knee surgery due to a traffic accident.

(Sources: Ming Pao, MARCA, Goal.com)

■English highway﹕crown

It can be used as both a noun (something the king wears on his head) or a verb (to be honoured).

e.g. Lee Lai-shan was crowned "Queen of Wind".

■Quiz

1. Maradona thought that his country had lost a lot of respect because of Messi. True / False

2. Messi has won the title of Player of the Year five times. True / False

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

veteran (adj) 退役的

exception (n) 例外

flea (n) 跳蚤

constantly (adv) 不斷地

[Smarties' Power English 第218期]