Maradona Interview

Here’s an interview conducted by FIFA.com with national team manager Diego Maradona.

Zanetti Interview

El Pupi Zanetti and his beloved Banfield’s stadium in the background.

In today’s Ole an interview with Javier Zanetti

Q – Alright, let’s review all your managers with short answers, Passarella?

Z – The first manager that bet on me, who gave me alot of confidence along with a group of young players that consolidated to play our first world cup.

Q – Bielsa?

Z – He brought out the best of me on the field and formed me also as a person.

Q – Pekerman?

Z – With him I don’t have any type of resentment. He gave me the possibility to continue on the national team after Marcelo left. And up until three months before the world cup, I participated, playing in all the games. Afterward I did not go to Germany and he must know the reasons.

Q – Do you owe a conversation with him?

Z – No, I think that it is not necessary. It was a decision that he took at that moment and no matter how many conversations we may have now, I did not play in that world cup.

Q – Basile?

Z – Coco was the manager who had trust in me again and he also made me captain after the retirement of Raton Ayala. I respect and value him alot because of that.

Q – How did you process his resignation?

Z – I was surprised, because while we did have down moments, the national team in general had a positive balance. Nobody really knows the circumstances nor why he reached that decision.

Q – He said that it was not because of any football reasons.

Z – Exactly, we don’t know about the non football reasons. He would have to explain it and give his conclusions.

Q – Maradona?

Z – To play a world cup with him would be a spectacular way of ending my time with the national team. It is a luxury to play for him.

Q – Yes, but in the beginning he did not want you.

Z – Well yes. It appeared that my time with the national team had ended. I had the hope that he would call me up for the Scotland game. I wanted to have an opportunity with him. I wanted Diego to know me while training me, for him to see the way I conducted myself within the group.

Q – How were you able to change your image before him?

Z – I did what I’ve always done and that permitted for Diego to have another opinion of me. We talked alot and he realized right away what kind of person I am.

Q – Now that the awe felt at the beginning of his tenure has passed, the situation now is different?

Z – Well, now we have to fight more, what we have ahead of us will not be easy. The remaining games will be very difficult but the Argentine players always respond in difficult situations. The most important thing is to qualify for the world cup, as early as possible and in whatever manner that we can. Afterward there will be alot of time to work calmly.

Q – Which is the word to define this moment for the national team?

Z – We can’t talk about being scared but we have to be conscious of the moment that we are living.

Q – Brasil is coming and everything indicates that there will be a move to Rosario.

Z – It’s beautiful that the national team can appear in different parts of the country. In Italy, the national team does not play only in Milan or Rome. This is a clasico and in these games the closer you have the fans, the better.

Q – How are we compared to the best national teams in the world?

Z – Spain is well, Brasil woke up, Italy and Germany are respectable but I tell you the truth, what happens today does not matter. The important thing is to qualify for the world cup and to be well during the world cup.

Q – Do we have to pray for Messi to be in the same form that he is now, a year from now?

Z – He is going to be our ace of spades. The issue is to not be comparing all the time what he does in Barcelona with what he does in Argentina. The games that he plays with his club and the ones that he plays with us are completely different. The world cup qualifiers are terrible, closed in, very difficult games.

Q – And what will the world cup be like? More like the world cup qualifiers or like the Spanish league?

Z – The world cup games despite being the most important ones are alot more open. The world cup qualifiers are a war, there are games in which from the start football is not played.

Messi interview on TyC Sports

Here’s Messi being interviewed on TyC Sports. He talks about the national team and the WC qualifying campaign.

Verón interview

In today’s Ole an interview with Juan Sebastian Verón.

Q – After everything that’s happened, at this point, did you imagine being once again a key part of the national team?

V – To imagine, one can imagine alot of things and sometimes the reality is completely different. But there are things that happen because of the circumstance or the moments. I never lost the hope of being on the national team.

Q – After the Copa America it appeared that it did.

V – It’s normal, because of the result, the frustration of the final but afterwards that starts to go away, a new era began, Diego arrived, his message and that also caused me to renew myself and recover strength.

Q – Maradona made you feel important again?

V – Yes, I know that he has trust in me. The same thing happened with Basile, he made me return to the national team but with Diego there’s a relationship from before, having played together. There’s a mutual respect as a player and a person. And everything he says about me makes me have the responsibility of not failing him.

Q – He considers you to be a leader within the team. Do you see yourself as that again?

V – That is something that the group will choose. And there are very intelligent young players here, that have a very successful career in European football but know how to listen.

Q – Messi was one of the ones who listened to you the most. Do you see him today in the place that you thought he would be in?

V – Leo has grown alot. Besides achieving what he’s achieved, he was important. Just look that in Barcelona he’s spoken about more than Henry or Eto’o, he’s surpassed them. But beyond the push that one or another may give to him, Messi is in a place that his abilities have put him in.

Q – What was he missing before, when you talked to him in the Copa America?

V – It wasn’t because of anything we talked about, he began to discover his place on his own. At that moment it was simply bringing him into the group, for him to realize that he was important for us. What also happened was that on that team there were alot of older players and today the group is better suited for him. And you can see him more relaxed, integrated. But with the same humility.

Q – Crespo said that he should be surrounded with players as Diego was in 1986. Is that so?

V – Leo is a player that does not have any limits. And he has the most difficult thing in football: controlling the ball at a fast pace with precision. I think that he must be made to feel comfortable and that he also feel that necessity to push the team like he does in Barcelona. But it is also work. Look at Hernan talking about 1986 but the majority of the players that surrounded Diego were based in Argentina. Now the nucleus of the team plays abroad.

Q – Does he need to be given support like he gets from Xavi or Iniesta in Barcelona?

V – But they’re not the only ones. It’s the fullback that joins the attack, the movements, knowing his teammates. We also have players that are skillfull with the ball. It has to be worked. Look, lets not pretend that Leo has to resolve everything. From what I see and feel, alot of people believe that he can win the world cup all by himself. And that is impossible. There is only one Maradona. And Messi is Messi. With all his virtues that made him the best player in the world today, but if something bad happened I wouldn’t want that to fall entirely on him.

Q – Like it happened to you.

V – Like it happened to me, Aimar, D’Alessandro, Riquelme. That is sought after.

Q – You already helped him in some way on the outside. And now it’s your turn to do it from the inside?

V – It’s what I want. Hopefully I can help so the best Messi can be seen. And I’m not the only that has that desire, it’s what all of us want. It is important to have on the national team Messi at his best. And that depends mostly on us than of him.

Q – How do you see yourself collaborating with him, Tevez & Aguero?

V – Trying to assist them, to support them, but also to give balance to the midfield, playing in a deeper spot like I do in Estudiantes. Going on the attack is not everything.

Q – You are not a playmaker. Despite that, you’ll start the game in that spot.

V – I don’t consider myself a playmaker because I have other characteristics. That’s why, beyond me starting in that spot, it is difficult for me to occupy the role of a classic playmaker. I will look to move to the side because space should not be taken away from those that are upfront. Actually, with Gago we change positions during the practice sessions. Everything will happen according to the dynamics of the game.

Q – Why do you think there is a big need to have a playmaker?

V – Because the playmaker has always been an integral part of Argentine football. And the people also demand it. We’ve always had that type of player. But that position began to disappear. Today, players of that characteristic, like the kids in Huracan, Moralez, Blanco or Jose Sosa of Estudiantes, play to the sides or play more upfront.

Q – Are you excited about playing with the three little ones?

V – I am excited but those names must be made to function like a team. If the three upfront play great, the merit will be theirs and of all of us.

Q – Against Chile, at the start of the 2006 WC qualifiers you were able to change the boos for applauses. Would you like for that to repeat now?

V – I don’t play for that, I don’t look for it. If it happens, then that’s even better. But there are those that recognize what you do and others that don’t and others that refuse to because of the past. Today, even though I’m not 20 years old, I feel good physically and in my football form. It gives me the strength and the will to work everyday to make it to the world cup. Anyhow, there’s time left for that. The important thing is to defeat Colombia in the qualifiers because they’re behind us.

Messi Interview

In today’s edition of La Nacion an interview with Lio Messi.

Q – The city (Barcelona) is in commotion with the final against Manchester. How are you taking it these days?

M – Calmly. These are days of festivity and of responsibility at the same time.

At times, the days get long. I don’t answer my phone so that people don’t talk to me about the same topic but it’s inevitable. I only answer when its my family. I can’t wait anymore until game day arrives and I hope that we are able to give happiness to the people of Barcelona.

Q – The festivities for winning the league and the King’s Cup had you as one of the main participants. Can you explain to the Argentine people what happened?

M – It was a deserved celebration after winning two titles. The club decided that there had to be a party after the game with Osasuna and the truth is, it was beautiful. When the people were chanting my name and my teammates asked me to take the microphone, my legs were trembling. It’s not easy to speak in front of a Camp Nou filled to capacity. Now there is one more title left and we’ll see what happens.

Q – The Barcelona fans appreciate you because you are from the club’s youth ranks. You are kind of like the face of this Barcelona. Was this your best year?

M – In many regards, this was my best year. I didn’t have to lament any injuries and I was in good form. Because of football, team play and the goals scored. What I want the most is to crown everything with the Champions. I hope to achieve that dream.

Q – Is winning the treble your obsession?

M – It’s everyone’s. At first, we didn’t think of that. It’s like we wanted to go little by little. Now that we have the Cup and La Liga, we’re going for the Champions. It is something to live instensely for and I want to win it.

Q – If that happens, you’d be in the running to be number one. Do you think about it?

M – I don’t think about that. It’s something that you all talk about, the media. It is a game that one does not participate in. I enter the field to play, do the best possible and to see Barcelona win.

Q – How many times have you been asked about the duel with Cristiano Ronaldo?

M – Two hundred thousand times and I think I’m coming up short. So, I hope that you will be original and not ask me.

Q – I wasn’t thinking of doing that….

M – It’s a media matter. There is nothing personal. If after the game him or me win any personal awards, it would just be a bonus. But the important thing is to be the champion and lift the cup.

Q – Do you have a relationship with him?

M – We’ve seen each other very few times, he’s a great player, that can win a game at any moment, he has alot of talent and has an impressive long distance kick, he’s complete. Just like his team, he likes to play with the ball on the ground and is fast in the counter attacks.

Q – How do you think the Argentine fan will take the game?

M – I don’t know, on one side, there’ll be me and on the other, Carlitos (Tevez). I think they’ll root for both of us. I really don’t know. The way that Barcelona plays put alot of people on our side.

I know, because I talk to people that are over there, that admire us and respect us because of what we’ve done all year long. But what Manchester has done is incredible and should be recognized.

Q – The quality of Barcelona’s football is an extra plus?

M – The football that we are playing could make this an unforgettable year. But when the time comes to play a game like this what happened beforehand does not carry any weight. There are no favorites. In front of us we’ll have a tough rival, that plays at a great level. I like how they play. I enjoy watching them especially when Carlitos plays.

Q – Did you talk to Tevez? How do you view his present in Manchester United?

M – I didn’t get a chance to, but I find it hard to understand why there are doubts whether he will continue or not in Manchester. I don’t really understand what is happening. He is one of the best forwards in the world and I don’t know why he is not a starter. This past season, it was seen everything that he is capable of doing and the importance that his goals had.

Demichelis Interview

In today’s Ole an interview with Martín Demichelis.

Q – Did it surprise you to be one of the three overage players that are going to the Olympic Games?

D – Before anything it was a great satisfaction. And a little surprising too. To be called up to the national team is fantastic and in this case it is special because there was a large number of players over 23 years of age that could’ve been called up and to be one of the three gratifies me. That’s why I thanked Checho (U-23 manager) for his trust and I put myself at the disposition of this project.

Q – At your disposition despite Bayern’s decision to not cede any of its players for the Olympics?

D – For me it is impossible not to go to a national team, especially after being chosen among so many players.

Q – You’ll have to explain that to Rummenigge, who is protected by the right of the club to not have the obligation to cede players for those types of competitions.

D – Sometimes things can be exaggerated or interpreted wrongly. I’ve already discussed it with him and told him that I could not be thankful, satisfied and proud about the callup. But my head is with the club, in the Bundesliga and UEFA Cup. And the Olympics won’t be for another 6 months. That’s how I’m living it. What got me to the national team was my form with Bayern.

Q – So, you would talk to Rummenigge again if it was necessary?

D – The conversation I had with him was a healthy one. I have an excellent relationship with the club board and I expect that when it is time to travel to Pekin the situation does not become complicated. But of course I would talk to him again. Anyhow, like I told Checho, if they don’t allow me to go, I’ll escape.

Q – You appear to be confident in getting your way.

D – The situation is that in the middle of the year there’ll be a manager change. Klinsmann will take over on July 1st and the club board wants all of the players to be there so that the new manager and his assistants can have a complete team. Even though, surely, when the time comes he’ll understand each player’s situation.

Q – It’s a little curious coming from Rummenigge, who with Germany was a national team player for many years.

D – That’s because here they don’t feel a national team callup the way we do. They think that to go to the national team is to make money and they don’t understand that what mobilizes us to want to play in any type of friendly in Oceania, Asia or South America, is the pride of wearing that shirt.

Q – Batista must be happy to hear that. Did you already know him?

D – No, and that is why it’s important that someone with so much significance in Argentine football history has trust in me. He is a world champion and I respect and learn alot from those things. I hope that I can reach that level.

Q – That Riquelme asked to be a part of the Olympic team, Is it a message in itself?

D – Yes, that’s why I say that the Argentine player feels a national team callup in a very special way. For me it’s the same. What happened is that I don’t represent Argentine football the way that Roman represents it, and I couldn’t say publicly “I want to be in the Olympic Games”.

Q – To be in a Dream Team, Does it motivate you or pressure you?

D – It motivates. It’s alot easier when there is an abundance of talent. Let’s hope that we can put together a great team and bring another gold medal.

Mascherano Interview

A recent interview with Javier Mascherano on the TyC Sports program “Sin Cassette”. A full and wide ranging discussion.

Masche’s footballing beginnings, Liverpool, Premier League football and of course lots on the national team. The incredible start to his career, making his professional debut with the national team before playing for his own club team River Plate and his career so far with the national team. Also, a reenactment of the great goal he scored against Paraguay in the recent Copa America. Personal anecdotes about Steven Gerrard, Carlos Tevez and lots of other interesting footballing talk.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Messi Interview

In today’s Ole an interview with Lionel Messi.

Q – You’re always asked if you’ve become used to being pointed out as Maradona’s successor? But have you gotten used to being Messi?

M – Yes, the truth is I’ve become used to it. I deal with it calmly. When I leave the stadiums I live like a normal kid, like an average kid. People say Hello but I try to do what I always have. Sometimes, not everything I would like to do but I try not to deprive myself of anything. I go out with other kids, with friends, family.

Q – If 5 years ago someone told you that all these things would be happening to you, would you have said that they’re crazy?

M – (Laughs) I didn’t expect something like this, nobody does in reality. Everything happened very fast. My debut with Barcelona, the Champions League, becoming World Champion with the U-20 team, playing in the 2006 World Cup. Everything fast. The majority of those things were beautiful, except the injuries, that turned out to be unimportant things.

Q – The truth: your dad can reprimand you like any other kid or is it difficult because you are Messi?

M – No, if he has to say something to me, he does. I want to be just like any other kid. That’s why I would love to go to the Olympics, it must be real good to share things with other athletes. Right now, I have 3 tournaments under way with Barcelona, afterwards I would like to end the season in Beijing. I don’t give it any importance when they say that it is a Dream Team and things like that.

Q – You will be there with Riquelme. Do you prefer for him to always be there or would you like take over the leadership on the team?

M – When all the best players are there, it is better for me and for everyone. This U-23 can build a really good team, with great players, who’ve been playing professionally for a long time and play well. If we’re all there, it is the national team that wins. And I feel that shirt like it’s mine. That is why I always want to be there. That’s why I would have liked to have travelled to play against Guatemala but I was calm because an agreement was reached quickly with my
club due to my injury.

Q – Has Basile been what you expected? Before he took over as manager were you hopeful because of his offensive style?

M – I liked it and I’m thankful for the freedom he gives me every time I play with the national team. He’s always given me his trust, he told me to play calmly, free.

Q – Would you like to play in Boca or River before returning to Newell’s?

M – In either team. Mostly because I would like to experience Argentine football, the fans, the atmosphere before every game. I never had that luck and I do not want to miss out on that.

Q – Are there any bitter feelings towards River? You tried out there but had to leave because the club wouldn’t pay for the growth hormone treatments.

M – Yes, that’s what happened, but it’s over with. I couldn’t stay because of the cost of the treatments, the transfer belonged to Newell’s but I’m not bitter at all. Absolutely not.

Q – Look, now La Bruja Veron is going to try to bring you to Estudiantes.

M – (Laughs) It’s true. He’s treated me really well. The month that we spent during the Copa America he helped me fit in with the team. Just like in the World Cup, I was alone, because I don’t usually talk alot. But that’s why La Bruja was by my side, he was very important and I always thanked him.

Q – Anyhow, it appears that you are going to stay all your life with Barcelona.

M – I want to stay a long time with Barcelona. That is my idea, my intention. No one knows what can happen but that is my wish. I owe alot to Barcelona and for me, to remain there the rest of my life is a way of paying back.

Q – The necessary question: Do you believe that one day you’ll be like Maradona or that he is unrepeatable?

M – I don’t think there’ll be another one like Maradona. I hope that Argentina continues to produce great players but like Diego, it is very difficult.

Tevez Interview

In today’s Clarin an interview with Carlos Tevez.

Q – Why do you think so many good things happen to you? You arrive in Manchester, play, score goals, the fans applaud you, and now you’re in Argentina’s starting lineup.

T – I think one thing is tied to the other. If Basile calls me up it’s because I am doing well over there and if I’m playing over there it’s because I play with the national team.

Q – Considering the names, Is this team the best national team in recent times?

T – I don’t think that things will change that much. What is changing is that each one of us arrives here in great form. Messi and Aguero, for example, are playing great in Spain. Fortunately, Basile has problems choosing the starting eleven. That’s a really good thing.

Q – Is it impossible to think that Riquelme, Messi, Aguero and you can be in the same lineup?

T – We’d love that but we’d have to play with 12 or 13 players and I don’t think we’ll be allowed to do that (Laughs)

Q – Are you going to say Hello to Bielsa?

T – I’m going to give him a hug, of course. He’s the best manager I’ve ever had, he brought me to the national team and if he’s happy in Chile we are too. Except this time, against Argentina, I always wish him the best.

Q – Is there any message in particular for the fans?

T – None. We need to do all the talking on the field. The World Cup qualifiers are long and we must start out in the best possible way.

Basile Interview

In La Nacion today an interview with Argentina manager Alfio Basile.

Q – The press conference after the Copa America left very little. Can we lengthen the analysis you made of the tournament?

B – Argentina won five games and lost one, but it was the main one. Brasil defeated us well but from the start I must say that I liked the way Argentina played. A good base of players was formed but we weren’t able to finish.To win five games by a wide goal margin is not easy. The things we failed in I can not tell you. I keep that to myself.

Q – Do you agree with the idea that Brasil defeated Argentina because of a rigorous system of pressure and counter attack?

B – They already did it but let’s see how they play with stars like Ronaldinho and Kaka. With them they can not play the same way again. They placed all the pressure on us that Argentina had to win no matter what. They defended well, committing alot of fouls but its a tactical way of defending. That’s how in the right moment they scored the goals. They put the game away in the first half and in the second half they defended with ten players in their own half of the field and we weren’t able to enter in anywhere. They won well but they didn’t win the way that the history of Brasil demands. I’ll argue that with anyone.

Q – It’s been alot of years that Argentina has not won anything. Do you have to work that issue differently with the players?

B – No, the players leave right away. When can I work that? You have to understand that: the national team can not train long term, nor does it have alot of time to do so. The players that are based in Argentina can not train long term either because their clubs have the league and international cups during the week.

The training work done on the field is over, let’s finish with that already because there is no time. For the players based in Argentina there is also fewer chances, going against them is that every two days they have to play for something. That’s how it is. We got together for the Copa America and the team played, I repeat, really good.

Enough of lying to the fans. This won’t happen only in the friendlies, it’ll also happen in the world cup qualifiers.

Q – So, it all depends on how the players wake up the day of the game?

B – It’s not so much that. I at least have a system of play and the team plays the way I say. Is that clear? A club team is better prepared tactically than a national team. I’m tired of being told about working with players who are worth 40 million Euros and who have obligations with their club teams that does not permit them to dedicate themselves exclusively to the national team. Whether you like it or not. And whoever wants a change let them put up a mountain of money to buy the players that are in Barcelona, Inter, and other places and bring them to me in Ezeiza.

Q – But before you signed you knew about all these matters.

B – When I signed my contract with AFA they didn’t tell me a fairy tale. I knew how things were and once you’re in charge you have to deal with it. Anyhow, I’m not without hope, or else I would’ve left.

Q – So then, the idea of working with the domestic players failed?

B – You didn’t see how all the injuries during the time we had in Ezeiza hurt the plans? The players get injured because they have to play Sunday and Wednesday. We work with a direct line to the clubs; and even, if we have to travel to talk to the managers of the European clubs, it is done. The players get injured because they play two games per week, Understand?, not because of the national team.

Q – Do you have the base of players set for the WC qualifiers?

B – I’m looking at 44 players, more or less. And with these friendlies I can look at cases like Garay, see how he kicks the ball, how tall he is, how he comes out to defend. It’s useful to see live in action everything that we follow through videos. But to know if he’ll be Ayala’s successor we have to wait, the World Cup is in 2010, but we have to start the qualifiers. I’m looking for players but the base will be the players that were in the Copa America and played so well. But we must improve things because sometimes it is not enough, like what happened to us against Brasil.

Q – It’s clear that you can’t repeat the same setup of the Copa America because Riquelme is not here?

B – There’s no other player like Riquelme. At this moment I can’t make a decision about him because he does not have a club, he doesn’t play, he doesn’t train. If I find a Riquelme I can return to that setup, only if I find one. Anyway, the problem is through where you want to play. The playmaker disappears, everyone plays 4-4-2 but I don’t like it. I want to do it with a playmaker.

Q – Definitively, if he doesn’t find a club he won’t be called up?

B – The player that does not have a club and is not active in competition, How am I going to call him up !!!! If you’re not playing football you can’t be on the national team. Let’s speak clearly. If you’re not playing for the 3 points and have the pressure to win for your club, How are you going to play for the national team?. Unless you’re a superstar, I can’t wait on anyone.

Q – And since you don’t have Riquelme. Will you use 3 forwards against Norway?

B – And because Messi is a little bit of everything, a little bit of a right winger, a little bit of a forward and a little bit of a playmaker, he plays all over the field and you can’t contain him, he’s a superstar in the making. Obviously, we have to see how he evolves during his career. Only time has the final answers…….Patience.