An exciting Copa Libertadores comes to a close and Corinthians win their first ever title versus Boca Juniors. In “A Conversation With Roger Gonzalez” we talk all things South American, with a focus on Argentina and the legend that is Riquelme. The talented midfielder has called time on his career with Boca and the big question is what happens next? Will Riquelme retire or will he find a new challenge at another club having given everything to Boca over the last few years. There’s even a little time for Messi and Ronaldo and how they have performed for their respective countries. Roger also discusses the importance of Copa Lib and how it compares to the Champions League. Get comfy and enjoy the conversation.
Tag: Argentina
The story so far…
How are you enjoying the 2010 World Cup from South Africa? Has it lived up to your expectations? Is your country performing as you believed it would? What is the biggest story for you so far? How do you feel about the vuvuzela?
I can personally remember far more exciting group stages at the World Cup. There were definitely some thrilling finishes towards the end, but overall, that edge-of-your-seat type action was lacking tremendously for me. And I also have a problem with the weather and how cold it always looks. Seeing Casillas wearing a scarf during the World Cup is just wrong. I can respect the tournament being held in South Africa, but ultimately, the World Cup always smacks of summer and unfortunately, I’m not feeling the sizzle at all this time around.
The other problem with the tournament is the lack of attendance in the group stages. Most of the stadiums were not full and if it wasn’t for the vuvuzela, would there have been an atmosphere in some of the early games at all? Sure everyone has complained about the vuvuzela, but if you ask me, I think it saved the blushes of FIFA by filling the seats with sound as opposed to their ability to sell the tickets and fill the seats with warm bodies.
I’m also a little bored with Brazil and Argentina being so dominant again. Sure they are playing beautiful football and I would prefer to see Argentina win it all over Brazil. I know that is probably weird coming from a Brit and deep down I’m still hoping this is the year someone unpredictable wins the whole enchilada. But if we’re running with a favourite, I hope it’s Argentina who makes it to the final and I have this silly optimism they will meet England and we will payback Maradona for the Hand of God once and for all!
The truth is anything can happen. Who would have predicted France’s public implosion? And what about Italy’s collapse? It was a total embarrassment as they tried to defend their title. I feel bad for their supporters. We feel your pain. And speaking of pain, some of the refereeing has been hellacious. Some refs have made terrible decisions that would inspire any government in any country across our universe! Fans get ripped enough at it is in life and they certainly don’t want some amateur ref from Mali screwing them over at the World Cup! Come on referees! Sort it out FIFA.
There have been some good goals and perhaps a couple of great goals. We’ve seen very few sexy free-kicks converted and I’m not sure if there is a new star that has emerged just yet for us all to be salivating over. And the already established stars like Ronaldo, Rooney and Messi haven’t really lit it up yet have they? Messi’s had some pretty play overall, but we’ve seen no individual magic just yet and I think that’s what this World Cup is lacking.
Hopefully the last 16 will make me eat all of my above mentioned words. Hopefully the stars will come out and shine bright because the story so far is…Slovakia and Uruguay?
The great escape…
Argentina look like they might just be heading for South Africa after all. With only 30 seconds left on the clock, Martin Palermo netted a dramatic winner to help his country beat Peru 2-1. The goal sent the Buenos Aires crowd into hysteria and coach Diego Maradona celebrated by sliding across the pitch on his newly trimmed stomach. After a nightmare qualifying campaign, Maradona and his team dodged yet another major bullet on their path towards the biggest prize in football. The World Cup.
I for one am pleased. I couldn’t imagine a World Cup without Argentina. I know that might sound strange coming from a Brit, but the World Cup is all about showcasing and watching the best players and teams in the world. Argentina bring a flare and sexy style of football to the world stage that we all love to soak up. And with national hero and football legend Diego Maradona leading them, it makes the South American outfit that much more interesting to watch.
Maradona certainly hasn’t made things easy since becoming manager and there are many who think his talents are best suited to playing rather than coaching. But despite his flaws and forgetting about his ghastly Hand of God act in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, you can’t help but root for the potential story that could unfold if Maradona takes this team deep into next summer’s competition. What if he wins the World Cup as manager? What would his legacy be then?
Don’t you think the World Cup would be better with Argentina in it? Will they beat Uruguay on Wednesday? Is Diego Maradona the man to lead them to the finals?
Champions of England again…
Congratulations Manchester United. They’ve done this 18 times now and they’re not getting bored. Sir Alex Ferguson is amazing. The greatest manager in football history. Nobody can match what he’s done. It’s a shame the F.A. couldn’t convince him to be England manager. He’d probably have won them the World Cup by now.
For me, Manchester United’s best player this season was Michael Carrick. In fact Carrick makes me want to start a whole new category on the BSD…”Unsung Hero.” Carrick is certainly one of those. His passing is sublime. He threads the ball, he caresses it, he strokes it. If he scored more goals, people would put him in the same bracket as Gerrard or Lampard. For me he is in the same league as those guys. Next term could be a breakthrough season for Carrick. If United win the league again and also do well in Europe, how could Fabio Capello ignore him for England and the World Cup?
The only sour note about United’s end to the season is the whole Tevez saga. Do you guys think he will stay? Would Sir Alex Ferguson ever sell him to a Premiership rival? He wants to stay in the Premier League and the word is Tottenham and Liverpool want him. But United have shown if they don’t want to sell to a particular team they won’t. The manager and board refused to let Gabriel Heinze join Liverpool a couple of seasons ago. Argentina’s left back was desperate to be a Liverpool player but he ended up at Real Madrid. I can’t see United letting Tevez join Liverpool either. What is it about Manchester United and problems with their Argentine internationals? Remember Juan Sebastian Veron, then Gabriel Heinze and now Carlos Tevez. No matter what happens with Tevez, Sir Alex Ferguson has proved life at United goes on regardless who leaves. It doesn’t seem to affect their winning formula does it?
Who do you think was United’s best player this season? Will Sir Alex Ferguson keep going? Who should United bring in during the summer transfer window? Can any other team catch them?