Maxi Rodriguez gave an interview with the AFA website where he spoke about his time with the youth team of Argentina, to playing in three World Cups, to being a coach and more.
A veteran of the Argentina national team, there’s very little Maxi Rodriguez hasn’t done. From playing, scoring in and winning an U20 World Cup to playing in a World Cup final, Maxi has been there and done that. Now 39 years old, Maxi was asked about his first time with the Argentina youth team. Here’s what he had to say:
“When I was in the youth teams, it marked me a lot as a player. Like a professional who was just starting his way. We would stay from Monday to Thursday and we would also be the sparring team for the 2002 Argentina national team.
“After that, for the 2002 World Cup we were also the sparring team and in 2001 there was the U20 World Cup (which was held in Argentina). I have the best memories of the work we did as a group with Jose (Pekerman) at the helm. And the group of team mates was also very nice and I think that all those memories marked me a lot for what came after.
“I learned a lot very quickly because I had to live with Jose at the time. And one time, I had to train with the sparring team for the senior team, when it was Bielsa, being a kid at the time, you take in everything faster and easier.”
How he lived his Argentina national team debut in 2003 with Marcelo Bielsa:
“I lived it as part of a dream come true… Something which you always see as so far away. Because when I was a kid, when I would go train at Newell’s in the youth teams, I always had those dreams, of being with the Argentina national team, of making my debut with Newell’s and I saw that they were all happening.
“Also, I had Pekerman as coach of the youth teams and well, being there and after that with Bielsa giving me my debut, they were very impactful things which happened but at the time, I enjoyed them a lot.”
About how those dreams that he imagined, with time, got him to play in three World Cups:
“In that point of view, I always give myself short term goals. I try not to dream about 10 years from now. I try to have short term goals. I always did things that way. I believe that every objective I put, I would continue with it and when one looks back, it’s impressive. One doesn’t dream of all of that but things were going on and I was enjoying it to the fullest.”
Regarding being part of a team which made the World Cup final, how he played a part in it and how he lived it:
“Yes, when one is in the youth teams, you dream of playing a World Cup and you say “it’s the top thing that could happen”. And I was chosen to play in three World Cups for the Argentina national team with such a history and the players, to play in three World Cups is not easy.
“The way, above all, in Brazil, to be able to have the decisive penalty and being able to take Argentina back to a World Cup final after so many years, they are emotions which are so strong in a way you can’t be prepared for, not in a good way or a bad way.
“And regarding the final, we all had that illusion of being World champions… A few days prior, we were filled with such beautiful emotions, very strong. And after that, when the match was over, we were left with emotions very ugly and painful.”
When asked about his penalty goal vs. Netherlands and his winner vs. Mexico at the 2006 World Cup, if there was another goal he would put in that group:
“Yes, it’s a bit crazy because wherever you go, they remind you of those two goals. “The one with the important goals” and it’s strange to me. The goal vs. Mexico, which was incredible, in the way it all happened, it brings you to the next round and that also has a special meaning.
“The goal vs. the Netherlands too. They are moments which leave their mark on you. After that, there’s also a goal that marked me and it’s a goal I scored with the youth teams. I scored the first goal and the last goal in the final of the U20 2001 World Cup. And even more that it came as a team goal and I finished from a difficult angle.
“They are goals that happened in a very beautiful moment of my career and to close a World Cup with a goal is also very special.”
How he sees the current Argentina national team with Lionel Scaloni at the helm:
“With Leo, I had the possibility of being his team mate. So we have a bond where we’ve known each other for a long time.
“Every time, I see the Argentina national team as doing better. It wasn’t easy the rebuilding that he had to do. Someone that came with no experience and it’s not easy to coach a national team like Argentina. Because it is one of the most important in the world.
“There’s a lot of pressure from every corner. There are new players brought in that are very good. It’s not easy when there’s always the “obligation” to try and win. But I think he was building a solid team and that’s the most important thing and every time they are growing more. That is the most important and difficult thing that he has a solid base and to say “Well, I have these 15 players, these are my players”. But when he has that, it will be much easier and he is trying to do that.”
If he would like to be linked with football after retirement:
“Yes, I would like to be linked with football. If it is with the Argentina national team, it would be something very nice. I very much like everything that is the youth teams. Nowadays, I don’t see myself as a coach but I try to be a manager, to have a role like that. I like to be close to the players, what’s going on with them. Because a thousand things happen in a person’s mind.
“Sometimes the coach wants him to do well on the pitch but for that, the players has to be fully fit. I’m thinking of it as something still a bit far away. I still feel like a player and I’m enjoying it all. But one has to think about it because there’s little left in terms of football.”
Lautaro Martinez should not go to Man City because under Guardiola he will become all out and out striker but we need player who can assist and help our midfield so Barcelona would be best for him.
Lautaro is an unnecessary purchase for Barca. They have 2 world class CF, Suarez and Griezmann. Unless Griezmaan is sold, Barca will screw his career, like they did with Coutinho, Carles alena, todibo and many. Suarez played for barca for a year, it won’t be easy for lautaro to replace in barca better go to man city and develope under Pep competing with Aguero. No Doubt, lautaro will be the successor of Aguero both in man city as well as Argentina.
> Lautaro is an unnecessary purchase for Barca
No. ST is among their high priorities. Suarez is done this season or next and hes injury prone.
> Unless Griezman is sold, Barca will screw his career,
Griezaman is doing fine. Criticism is way overblown. A bit shaky in the 1st season but the entire club is shaky. Hell do well next season.
> like they did with Coutinho, Carles alena, todibo and many
Griezman had a much better start than any of these players.
> it won’t be easy for lautaro to replace in barca
He’ll get plenty of game time and fighting for a spot could be healthy for him.
> develope under Pep competing w
like someone else pointed out, no telling when Pep will leave. Could be next season. Better to take guarantee right now and go do Barca and play with Messi. Their brand plus teammates could be great for development.
Barcelona destroyed Dembele or many young players. Pep made starling look like World Class as well as developed Aguero in late 20’s. Lautaro isn’t finished product yet even Pep stayed 1-2 season in Man City will turn lautaro best in the world as well Ballon dor contender, Lautaro development is more important than Barcelona which club is in shambles where Man city have best squad in Europe. Lautaro can move to real/barca 25/26 right now for development Man City is better than barca even Inter too. In barca criticism lautaro will be destroyed like Griezmann
Lautaro Martinez will seal his his place in Barca playing eleven.Suarez is not consistent with his form and therecis no creativity in the game of Grizamen but Lautaro is kind of hard worker and little bit creative and has good positioning sense so Lauarto can seal his place in Barca over Griezamen and may be Suarez
Man City is going to pay lautaro 111 million release clause, if Jesus will be the part of the deal could be beneficial for both Man city and Inter. Inter to barca seems difficult unless Barca willing to pay complete 111 million, Inter won’t accept Vidal/Raketic.
Proper football player…..enough said
Two of my friends said to me that in Football Manager 2020 Thiago Almada is one of if not the biggest freaks, a miracle, Barcelona wanted to buy from them for 200 mill. euros as Messi’s heir.
He is still raw
one player that always was giving his 100 % inside pitch.
always one loyal and good soldier of the Argentina national team.
thank you for the memories Maxi. thank to God i have many with you inside.
you will be always with positive way in the memory of all Argentines.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
GRACIAS POR TODO.
The best memory is the goal against Mexico, one of his best and also best goal in World Cup 2006. Thank You Maxi – La Fiera
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