Higuain focused on Argentina

skysports.com

Higuain focused on Argentina Real striker’s mind at ease after signing new contract extension

By Richard Bailey

Gonzalo Higuain admits he can go into the World Cup with a clear head now that his Real Madrid future has been resolved.

The Argentina forward is thought to have signed a new contract extension that would keep him at the club until 2016.

Despite being Madrid’s top scorer for the past two seasons, rumours were rife that Real were set to cash in on the 22-year-old following a bust-up with team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

However that speculation has been laid to rest and Higuain admits he is now focusing solely on Argentina and the World Cup.

“I’m the happiest man in the world with my renewal,” he said.

“To continue at the best club in the world is what I wanted, I couldn’t be happier. Obviously I’m calmer now. Now I’m focused 100 per cent on Argentina and thank God I don’t have to worry about anything else.

“I’m at a World Cup, I play in the best team in the world…everything is perfect. Now I need to help my national team.”

Competition for places

Argentina have arguably the most talented pool of strikers to choose from at the World Cup with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Diego Milito and Martin Palermo all contesting with Higuain for a place in the starting XI.

However the competition for places does not faze the former River Plate ace and he is just looking to enjoy the whole experience.

“The first thing is to help the team in any way I can,” he told Marca.

“Be it playing 90 minutes, 15 or nothing, I’ll be doing what I can to help the team win the World Cup. This tournament is a unique experience and I’m enjoying every moment as much as possible.

“I’m living a dream. To be in the World Cup with Argentina, with all these team-mates, with (Diego) Maradona as coach…I’m expecting something unique.”

Barcelona interested in Ansaldi

imscouting.com

Barcelona target Rubin Kazan left back Cristian Ansaldi

Spanish newspaper Sport reports this morning that Barcelona are interested in signing Rubin Kazan left back Cristian Ansaldi.

Ansaldi, who can also play on the right, or in midfield, impressed against Barcelona in two matches in the Champions League group stages.

The 23-year-old has previously been linked with a move to Manchester City and is contracted to Rubin Kazan until 2012.

Pep Guardiola is reportedly looking to provide competition for Maxwell and Eric Abidal on the left hand side of the Barcelona defence.

Benfica interested in Carrizo

According to a report in Clarin, Benfica has contacted Juan Pablo Carrizo’s agent to begin negotiating a possible transfer.

The former Lazio GK Carrizo is currently on loan to Real Zaragoza.

BENFICA TAMBIEN ESTA INTERESADO

Los portugueses ya dieron el primer paso al contactarse ayer con el representante del arquero.

Ese sueño que tiene casi todo River de que Juan Pablo Carrizo vuelva a ser el arquero titular del futuro equipo que armará y conducirá Angel Cappa, vive una coyuntura de pesadilla: ayer se supo que el poderoso Benfica, de Portugal, saldrá firmemente al cruce de objetivo.

Tanto es así que las autoridades del Benfica, donde juegan argentinos prestigiosos como Angel Di María, Javier Saviola y Pablo Aimar, han iniciado contactos con su pares del Lazio, de Italia, que posee los derechos deportivos del guardavallas, aunque Carrizo haya terminado la temporada jugando en el Zaragoza de España.

Lo de la prestigiosa institución portuguesa va tan en serio que ayer mismo se pusieron en contacto con el empresario Pablo Sabbag, quien atiende los intereses de Carrizo, para conocer las condiciones para así empezar a pisar en firme sobre la futura contratación.

Atletico Madrid president insists Aguero will stay

imscouting.com

Atletico Madrid president insists Sergio Aguero will stay

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has insisted that the Europa League winners will do all they can to keep hold of Sergio Aguero.

The Argentine striker, who has a 60 million euro buyout clause, has been linked with a host of major clubs including Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Cerezo told the Atletico Madrid official website: “He has a contract with us, we want him to stay and he is happy here. Only if someone comes in to pay his buy-out clause would we then have to see what he decides.”

The Atletico president continued: “I would be surprised if he wasn’t here next season. It’s not in our plans to sell any player who is important to us.”

In 2009/2010, Aguero scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 47 appearances.

Milito & Samuel arrive in Argentina

Diego Milito & Walter Samuel speaking with reporters upon arriving in Buenos Aires.

Inter interested in Mascherano

imscouting.com

Inter Milan join Chelsea in the race for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano
Gerrard

Treble winners Inter Milan have joined the race to sign Liverpool defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano , according to a report in Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

Yesterday Chelsea were linked with Mascherano who has long been tipped to leave Liverpool with Barcelona reportedly interested last season.

Inter Milan are also after Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and also have also been rumoured to be interested in Rafa Benitez to replace Jose Mourinho who seems set for Real Madrid.

The midfielder made 47 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League and European competition last season, scoring one goal and picking up 11 yellow cards. His contract is up in two years.

M-I-L-I-T-O-!!!!!!!

In Diego Milito’s first season with Inter, he is the team’s top goal scorer, scoring game winning goals in the Coppa Italia, Serie A and Champions League.

The biggest goals of them all, his two outstanding goals to deliver the European Cup to Inter for the first time in 45 years.

Diego Milito.

Inter Hero Forever.

Inter – Champions Of Europe

A great end to a history making season as Inter win their first ever treble by defeating Bayern Munich with two outstanding goals by, who else, the player that’s come through for them in the clutch all season long, Diego Milito.

Inter are the winners of the 2009/10 Champions League.

Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, Diego Milito and Walter Samuel.

KINGS OF EUROPE!!!

Champions League Final

The Champions League Final is always one of the most important days of the football season. This year even more with five Argentine players participating in the Final.

A huge day for both Inter and Bayern Munich. Both clubs will be looking to become European Champions and win their third title of the season.

It will be a history making day for whichever club wins today.

I’ve been rooting for Inter from the start of this season’s Champions League. Will be doing so even more today.

It is not just a numbers game for me with Inter having four Argentine players and Bayern just one.

I want Inter to win so that el Pupi Zanetti can finish his Inter career in grand style. Zanetti’s contract has already been extended to next season but a Champions League win would be the crowning achievement for Il Capitano.

I also want to see el Cuchu Cambiasso win the Champions League. Cambiasso has played an important part in Inter’s success since joining the club in 2004. Cambiasso is the heart and tactical mind of Inter’s midfield.

Both players are considered very important, absolutely essential and influential leaders by one of the best managers in the world, Inter manager Jose Mourinho but they are not thought of in the same manner by Argentina’s manager.

I won’t even get into both players exclusion from the world cup squad.

Winning the Champions League will not make up for missing out on the World Cup but I really hope that Zanetti & Cambiasso play great today and make history.

Samuel and Milito have also played an important part in Inter’s success. Walter Samuel has anchored Inter’s backline playing in superb form all season in every tournament that Inter has participated in.

Diego Milito’s first season with Inter has been fantastic, not only is Milito Inter’s top goal scorer this season, he has also scored clutch goals in every tournament that Inter’s played in.

Milito has come through often when Inter has needed a game winning goal.

I hope Milito will score again today to help Inter win another important game.

Martin Demichelis will be defending the Bayern shirt today.

Demichelis has played well this season and is a solid presence in Bayern’s backline. I wish him well today and hope he continues to show improved form as he continues to recover from his recent injury.

But today, for me, it is all about Inter.

FORZA INTER!!!!!!!!!!

Zanetti Interview

Speaking with ESPN, el Pupi Zanetti talks about the Champions League Final and not making the WC squad.