You know that baby wanted a photo with Martin Palermo… but his family stopped Veron’s sleek black ride instead as it drove up to Estudiantes’ training ground last week. The baby’s got the “Papa, you lied. We were supposed to go to Boca’s training ground, dammmit!” look.
Anyway, Veron gave a pretty fascinating one-to-one interview to Argentinean newspaper, Ole. He spoke about the criticism faced by Los Albicelestes to the controversy facing Messi.
“There were things that were turned into shit. After defeating Peru, we read the newspaper aloud at the back that said Lionel Messi did not know the national anthem. Everybody laughed. We sent him a message about it. And he was the bench (during the game). What do you do? Are you going to get angry?” said Veron.
“That day of the game against Uruguay, Martin Palermo and I got up at eleven in the morning and then we took a nap for three hours. He was calm.”
“I learnt that there is no margin for error in the World Cup. You have to give your fullest and enjoy the moment. During the game, the feeling is completely different. “
Also, in the spirit of our CQC Friday Club, here’s the loco Chilean journalist at his country’s game against Ecuador last month… doing what he does best, as always. Enjoy!
The Pied Piper of Higuain may have opened the scoring for Los Albicelestes but it was Martin Palermo’s close-range effort that secured a crucial win 2-1 win over Peru last night. The Dona actually dived into the wet grass – on his stomach – in celebration. Lighten up, uncle. You don’t want the empanados to be flattened. He’s lucky that the Rain Gods approved of Palermo – except that the Boca man’s goal was ten years into the making.
“The victory gives us new life,” said The Dona. “It was a very dramatic finish. Now we go to Uruguay to play for a place in the World Cup.” And because ya’ll are in love with him, here you go…
That mop of hair Riquelme is smoldering belongs to none other than the Messiah. Obviously times have changed and one year on, no one would have anticipated his fall out with The Dona. And and if the rumours are true, Riquelme will be joining the Timão gatos at Corinthians next season. It’ll be pretty cool to see him with Ronaldo Lima… maybe even better than watching Veterans Football F.C that Milan are offering now!
“Corinthians called my representative several times,” Riquelme told Ole. “I don’t know if I’ll be contacting the club, but I’m right here. I have an important year ahead and want to do the best I can (for Boca). Let’s see if I am lucky to be champion again and after June 30, we’ll see what we’ll do.” Anyway, the rumored sum is believed to be U.S.$5 million a season and don’t worry, this does not include a large payout to Tevez’s shady agents.
Tudo bem, people?! Welcome to Day 1 of the Selecao bootcamp…. a staple here at Futbolita. And in true spirit, we just did a thorough assessment of the selecao’s arrival at Granja Comary with our Brazilian amiga here, Ana. Gata wants to marry Zagallo but he’s old enough to be her grandfather, so she has now shifted all thoughts to Julio Cesar. On the other hand, Fabulouso is looking sleek in white… he needs to pose for a furniture catalogue agora!
So manos were sent for gym conditioning (to “maintain muscles and detoxification”) ,with Senor Pablo Paixão. This was accompanied by light field training and running exercises. Nilmar is deep in concentration… (while el amigo Lucas is presumably talking about English tea) so do not disturb!
Of course, playing at a high altitude is another issue for selecao. As such, the team’s doctor Jose Luis Runco has confiscated the potato chips from Adriano’s room. “I recommend a light diet for the team – with fruit and carbohydrates. Our position in relation to games at altitude does not change and I hope that FIFA changes it,” he said. “It is advisable to practice the sport at (a suitable) altitude because we run a risk of compromising the life of a human being.”
Added the excited André Santos. : “The secret is to adapt as quickly as possible to play a great game.”
Fotos de R.Ribeiro
Messiah’s dad, Jorge Messi, has denied the threats alleging that a futbolista from the Argentinean team wants to break his son’s legs… Oh Veron, your time was over. Ok, ok, estamos solo bromeando! We’re only joking..
“If a teammate tells you that and continues to be called up to the team, something is wrong,” Jorge pointed out, following a radio interview made by the player’s lawyer, Marcelo Open. The Messiah was also said to “feel uncomfortable” around The Dona and Jorge vehemently denied this as well. Of course we all know he’d much rather be on his Playstation than eat chocolates with the coach.
Someone needs to produce a telenovela about this.
So the Albicelestes are facing another crisis – and this time, it involves a rift between The Dona and the squad’s general manager and former midfielder, Carlos Bilardo. Can’t anybody get along anymore?!
Anyway, it’s common knowledge that the coach didn’t call up any Europe-based players for Argentina’s friendly against Ghana tomorrow but now, it seems that The Dona has told Bilardo to “stay out of his decisions” because he “prefers a distance”. Bilardo also feeling bitter because apparently, his role as ‘general manager’ has been disregarded. He does not get a say in player selections or other decisions The Dona makes. Basically, his job is “to go and see the stadium and hotel.” Es insultante!
Also, according to Ole, Maradona told Bilardo that “the player lists, meetings … It’s all in the computer,” before adding: “After qualifying, we’ll see (what happens with you).”
Meanwhile, Boca’s Martin Palermo is hopeful that his performance on Wednesday will earn him a place in Argentina’s remaining crucial qualifiers. “(We) must seize the game if we have a chance to play in Wednesday’s friendly. We must be able to do things (in) the best way possible, to live for the moment, and then wait. Hopefully I can play against Peru and Uruguay,” he said.
So tipos have landed in Chile for their friendly against the national side tomorrow, and immediately checked into Hotel Sofitel Salvador. The substitutes trained at an open area within the hotel while the starting 11 enjoyed some muscle regeneration time with Senor Paixao at the physical therapy pool. Robinho is totally checking out the valet, OK? Lucky for him, he’s been ruled out of the friendly tomorrow which means either Nilmar or Adriano will take his place.
Also, Andre Santos doesn’t look like he can play the Repinique (samba drum) but looks can be deceiving! Everyone is in a great mood after the win on Saturday.
“It was too good! We had a wonderful game, and the team played a very smart in the field with catimba and the whole atmosphere that was created for the game. Congratulations to the team,” said Kaka.
So it’s Day 2 of the Soldados Bootcamp and they’re already bullying Robinho! Anyway, the manos did field work yesterday while Daniel Alves, Luisão, Ramires and Elano were immediately sent to the gym upon arrival. Muito grave, indeed!
For training, Dopey divided the squad into two teams- Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lúcio, Miranda, André Santos; Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Julio Baptista, Kaká; Robinho and Luís Fabiano formed one side while Victor, Cristian, Gérson, Juan and Filipe; Sandro, Lucas, João Pedro and Wellington; Nilmar and Adriano made up the other. Crowds formed outside Granja Comary to watch the selecao in action and the U-17 squad also trained with them in preparation for the Copa Sendai in Japan.
These bombshells will board a flight to Rosario at 8pm later tonight and arrive at the Rosario International Airport around midnight. They’d better distribute packets of oreo and milk or else…..
Fotos de AP, Reuters & R.Ribeiro
via GettyImages
Yes Kun Aguero, we know you’d like three additional kids in future with The Dona but lighten up lady!!! Messiah is unimpressed and you’d best leave all the petty family talk off the pitch.
Anyway, the Argentinean tipos have started their training sessions under the watchful eye of Kun’s suegro. And already, Messiah has isolated himself from the rest of the team (naturally). He sleeps in a five star hotel with an entourage comprised of his brothers Rodrigo and Matías as well as a Barca rep, Juanjo Brau. He doesn’t watch TV or listen to music, said Argentinean journalists, but spends his time on PlayStation instead. The football association claim that they “don’t want to isolate him completely” – but they seem to be doing exactly that.
“It’s harder to talk to Leo than Obama,” joked The Dona. Or maybe it’s just a tactic by the Albicelestes to get our hombres to relax about the prospect of facing a lethal Messiah. Não, não!
Ah, an exciting week of international futbol is finally upon us as our hombres prepare to face The Dona’s Argentina on Saturday! Yesterday, the Brazilian Bombshells eagerly assembled at the Tom Jobin International Airport (in Rio) before proceeding to Granja Comary. On arrival, everyone received a welcome snack before heading to bed. Yes, it’s beginning to sound a lot like pre-school…
As you can probably tell, manos were excited to meet each another again (Julio Baptista and Lucas both look thrilled). Barbecue King, Adriano, was also delighted to be back with the selecao but admitted that he "only personally knows Nilmar and Victor" from Dopey’s current squad. Uh, no problem. He’ll make friends just as long as he doesn’t locate an All-You-Can-Eat buffet spread in Rosario.
The players also attended a commercial event for Gillette last night and Julio Cesar, Felipe Melo, Adriano, Juan and Lucio were on hand to test their new series of razors. "Drawing with Argentina will be good enough. If we win, it will have to be with a beard, hair and moustache," joked Julio Cesar as he tried to shave( seriously???). But the worst line had to come from Adriano who was asked by former model, Monique Evans, if any of his girlfriends had ever shaved him. "Not yet, but if you want to…" he replied, laughing. Have you seen Monique Evans?
So the Argie press are hailing Guillermo Marino for saving Boca’s blushes when he came off the bench to score two goals yesterday against Argentinos Juniors. Riquelme was out on a one-match ban and as for Alfio Basile, it was his first official game in charge of these tipos. Still, Ursula was happy with the performance so far…
“The team did not do anything right in the first half and my players knew it. But luckily, after the talk in the locker room, they knew they had to play better,” he said.
Meanwhile, Boca’s rivals River Plate fell to a 2-0 defeat in the hands of Banfield after their two Uruguay strikers, Santiago Silva and Sebastian Fernandez netted in a goal each. As for San Lorenzo, one of Argentina’s “big five”, they beat Atletico de Tucuman 3-1 on Saturday.
So Dunga has finalized his tropa that will face Argentina next month… and Adriano aside, we’re excited to see that our friend Lucas has also been summoned! Grandeeeeee mano!
The Dinho and Pato were both left out of the squad again (Milan’s dismal form has been obviously detrimental to their chances ). Kleberson, who is nursing a shoulder injury, was left out of the squad and his place went to Lucas. Andre Santos has also been called up to replace Marcelo while Deportivo la Coruna’s Luis Filipe earned himself a spot after his performance against Estonia earlier this month.
As for churrascaria chubs, Adriano, his call-up doesn’t come as a surprise given his current status in the Brasileirao. He may have a pot belly, but cara is also the league’s top scorer….so he’d better not be lazy!
Here’s the full squad list for Brazil’s qualifying games against Argentina and Chile (to take place in October).
SQUAD LIST :
GOALKEEPERS : Julio César – Inter, Victor – Grêmio
DEFENDERS : Daniel Alves – Barcelona, André Santos – Fenerbahçe, Maicon – Inter, Filipe Luís – La Coruña, Lúcio – Inter, Juan – Roma, Luisão – Benfica, Miranda – São Paulo
MIDFIELDERS : Felipe Melo – Juventus, Elano – Galatasaray, Gilberto Silva – Panathinaikos, Josué – Wolfsburg, Julio Baptista – Roma, Kaká – Real Madrid, Lucas – Liverpool, Ramires – Benfica
ATTACKERS : Robinho – Manchester City, Adriano – Flamengo, Luis Fabiano – Sevilla, Nilmar – Villarreal
Leo Messsssiah harboured dreams of meeting Mickey Mouse from a very young age. Geez, who didn’t? I always wanted to meet Speedy Gonzalez.
Anyway, he got his wish yesterday when he visited Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Los Angeles. “It’s something I always wanted to do when I was young, but I had no time. I wanted to see all these beautiful things a long time ago.”
Don’t you know? Standing next to Mickey makes your voice all high and squeaky, so you can’t say anything mean. The Messiah also took time out to sign autographs and show kids what makes him earn 35 million a year. Kaaaaching!
“Having this whole complex and these facilities makes it easier for one to (play football),” he said.
Those are actually Velez Sarsfield’s players celebrating their Argentinean Championship victory last night. Some of the supporters climbed the barriers to celebrate with their idols (see below), resulting in a muito legal picture.
The team are the surprise package in this season’s championship and this is their fifth Clausura trophy although they’ve won the national title seven times.
“We played a great match, we played the ball around very well and we never let Huracan play their game, we cut their circuit; we deserve to be champions,” said defender Fabian Cubero.
Photo by Antonio Scorza
Luis Fabulouso to Milan next season? It could happen! Apparently, Sevilla have opened talks with the Italian side but so far, they’re not satisfied with Milan’s 16 million price. Instead, they’re looking to offload the striker for “somewhere between 20 and 22 million” according to Correire dello Sport. In addition, Leonardo expressed an interest to see Fabulouso strutting his stuff in black and white red next season so a deal looks highly possible.
Can you imagine Pato and Fabulouso upfront… together? (geez not in that way you dirty ninos!) One’s got speed, the other – almost everything else – but it’ll be a partnership that the tifosi will absolutely love. Maybe it’ll even help Milan to sell their ’season tickets’ which are suffering dismal sales after Kaka’s departure to Real Moneda.
Said Fabulouso’s agent, “It is true that Sevilla rejected the first proposal but it is also willing to negotiate. It is unthinkable to refer the market (situation) to Real Madrid: some prices are out of reality because the world is in the midst of an economic crisis.”
River Plate are taking drastic measures to reduce the risk of the dreaded swine flu that has taken 44 lives in Argentina. In fact, they’re cancelling their last game of the season against Estudiantes de la Plata. What’s there to lose right? It’s the end of the Apertura championship and they lie in sixth place with zero chance of becoming champions.
They’ve also closed their head office until next Monday and the only time they will meet will be for a “nice meal together”, according to the club’s technical committee.
“I believe it was a very intelligent measure. The more precautions that are taken, the better,” River’s president told Argentinean daily, Ole.
They’ve also started placing “explanatory posters” in the players’ locker room. Y’know… the normal jizz. Like how to wash your hands to prevent bacteria and contamination. Shit, we’re sneezing now! Hasta pronto.
Alfio Basile is Boca Junior’s reinstated man and while he reminds us of Ursula, he has vowed to restore the club to its former glory! Ursula walked into the club’s conference room yesterday and declared to the press : “I am delighted. I’ve missed you.”
How ironic for a man who has coached more than twenty teams throughout his managerial career. He has worked at almost every Argentinean club including San Lorenzo, America, Colón de Santa Fe and Huracán before a two-year stint at Boca in 2006. So obviously, experience is on his side.
“I have (collected) many jerseys from the all my years coaching. That’s something, right? I’ve spent all my life in the dressing room (and I have) black, white, yellow, jerseys … Obviously, each (team) is different,” he said.
“I’m obsessed about winning all the South American cups, the local tournaments and more cups to come. I learned a little more English and French when I was away from Boca.”
One of Brazil’s most promising strikers, Keirrison, may very well become a Barça player next season! Not surprising as he’s been on the radar of some of the top European clubs all season. In this case, the deal will only go through if his representative, Marcos Malaquias, reaches an agreement with Laporta’s Men In Black.
However, Palmeiras must agree to let Keri go – a prospect which may be easier than expected. After all, Palmeiras fans have been unhappy with the striker, pointing accusatory fingers at him for the club’s failures after eliminations from the Paulista Championship and Copa Libertadores. Oh, they even nicknamed him Pipokeirrison!
If Keirrison goes to Europe, there’s a better chance of obtaining a spot in the highly competitive selecao. You know Dopey prefers hardworking, “Champions League” types and Keirrison will fit in well the Catalan giants.
Is that Felipão’s long lost brother from Estudiantes? Those balloons look lovely on him, by the way! At least El Loco over there came prepared to celebrate his team’s 1-0 victory over Nacional in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final tie last night. Unfortunately, the fans surrounding him weren’t.
Diego Galvan’s header in the 14 minute – courtesy of a cross from Juan Sebastian Veron – was enough to secure his side an early lead. And in case you didn’t know, the Argie Press are still in love with Veron.
“We started slowly but I think this is a good result for us,” said Estudiantes’ Uruguayan goalkeeper, Munoz. “Now we have to fight in the second leg.”
We hope these Gremio futbolitas aren’t despaired despite their team’s 3-1 loss to Cruzeiro in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals yesterday. There’s always tomorrow and next week… and in Gremio’s case, plenty to drink to!
Wellington, Wagner and Fabinho put Cruzeiro ahead yesterday, despite their opponents having the better chances in the first half.
“It could have been 8-4,” Cruzeiro coach Adilson Batista said. “We gave away a chance that Maxi spoilt, but we also missed some goals. Cruzeiro could have had a fourth goal. We must give credit to the players for their dedication, The Libertadores is not easy.”
Gremio will have to do a lot better to qualify when they play the return leg at the Estadio Olimpico in Porto Alegre next week.
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