Nicolás Tagliafico gave an interview where he spoke about being an Argentina national team player, how France treats him since winning the World Cup, Lionel Messi retiring and the comparisons with FC Barcelona.
Tagliafico is one of the veterans on the team, having beein part of the 2018 World Cup and 2022 World Cup teams. Speaking in an interview with La Nácion, Tagliafico commented on the responsibilities of the Argentina national team. Here is what he had to say:
“It’s not just being a national team player but looking like a national team player. You have to be very responsable. When I talk about values, I mean humility, good sense and discipline. From tucking the shirt in your pants, no matter how small the example may seem, the national team can also be a school of values.”
The 31 year old also spoke about how it was for him joining the Argentina national team after the 2014 World Cup:
“If the boys from 2014 would have been champions, maybe what is happening now would happen, that is, spending three or four more years having a good time. Those guys who suffered so much for the national team left something behind: Belonging. And with their example, they made the new generation see that we had to rise again.
“I was in the middle of both generations and little by little, something started to be built. It was like a wheel. From the bottom it started to turn upwards. Perhaps those times we were fortunate in that we did not suffer so much pressure from the press and without many repercussions, we were building brick by brick. An opportunity opened up for the newcomers without pressure because they were not burdened with guilt or defeats.
“That is what happened to me in 2018 in Russia. I had no pressure. That pressure was carried by Mascherano, Higuaín, Leo. And something similar happened to these guys, they came to a fairly organized national team and they only had to show what they were doing at their clubs.”
In regards to winning the World Cup and how he is treated in France:
“I think there was a click for them. Today, the French look at me with respect, with much more respect than before.
“But they also look at me with this envy, as if to tell me: “You screwed us, you won against us.” When they get the chance, they show me.
“It’s part of the game. I’m playing in the country we won the World Cup against. It’s the way it is, it’s what happens and it’s part of the rules.”
He was also asked about Lionel Messi and possibly playing at the 2026 World Cup:
“Do you know what the key is for Messi to play in the 2026 World Cup? Win Copa America next year.
“If we would not have won the World Cup in Qatar, he would have left. But he won it and he wants to enjoy these months. But if we go to the United States and win the Copa America, he will want to continue.”
Tagliafico commented on the national team being compared with the legendary FC Barcelona team:
“I don’t think you can compare national teams with club teams. One of them sees each other every day, train together every day and fight together on the weekend. With the national team, you get together every bit and at a World Cup, you are together a few days before, they are seven finals.
“That Barcelona team played an all-out attacking game. I got to enjoy it and anyone could score goals, give assists or appear anywhere. They were ultra-offensive and had a lot of possession. I think the national team has more qualities. I feel that the national team is more fluid and moves where it suits them. We are like putty, we adapt to everything. Barcelona was very defined, you knew how they played and it was very difficult to control them.
“The national team is also very defined but because of this trait, that of versatility and the power of adaptation. The adaptation to know when you have the ball, when to defend, when to survive and when to go out and when to run. And all that makes for a great team.
“Individually, those Barcelona players had to be ultra-offensive to only focus on the opponent’s goal. On the other hand, in this national team, you have to play for your team mate, knowing that one day you will have to play higher up, another day you will have to defend more and another day you will have to be smarter to get the ball.”
Wow. He is very well spoken. He should consider being a commentator.
“Nico Otamendi has been eager to do his part at centre-back — but had Martinez not pulled off that save on Kolo Muani, there would have been plenty of criticism coming his way — and at the age of 35, it is surprising that Otamendi has still not been replaced. Well, at least until the replacements are considered”
Tim vickery still doubting Argentina’s defence
In fairness he has point , if you want to read the full article go to espn/ soccernet.com
He is Right….
This guy is a straight varzil team agent. I never seen he says anything good about Argentina and believe me I do followed him quite long. He hyped all Varzilian players like they are God before World Cup and even the night before final he was saying he can’t see Argentina beating France lol . It was nice to see his face later tho after we beat France. I know he is pointing about Ota & that’s same thing he was saying before World Cup even before copa. He is saying what IF Dibu didn’t save that shot, I believe there are no IF and MAY in football. Nobody talk what If Ruben shot wasn’t saved by Iker. If we lost to France then it would have been injustice for football given the fact we were outplayed them. However I would agree with most of us here that slowly Otamendi has to give up his position to someone else but that someone else we YET to find. Except Lisandro none of them coming good to tackle Otamendi position yet. Perez and Medina playing regularly for their respective club maybe one of them will be future also lately Quarta playing good but still long way to go . I believe that’s what is going on behind the scenes. They calling different CB to see them in practice. If we get positive results in next 4 WCQ then it will give us great opportunities to see new CB pair without any pressure. We might see someone new with Cuti or even completely new pair too.
Tim Vickery has been living in Brazil for years now…
Yeah that’s the reason I guess he is leaning on them even though they been shit lately
He will be a coach one day. At Ajax he was already learning about strategies, tactics, running patterns, pressing, defence and rest defence, positioning etc. An intelligent man with enough determination to go far.
This 2 matches will decide, we need young player or continue with WC winners.
Probably true. At one point or another Scaloni will be forced to make that decision, just like circumstances forced him to include likes of Enzo Fernandez, Emi Martinez and Cuti romero
True. He had the same attitude when he took over and only brought in newer players when forced to do so. Emi Martinez, Enzo etc. Lethargic and reactive attitude.
Spoiler alert. They will continue with WC winners irrespective of the outcome of these two matches. Pezzella and Armani will be back next time.
Rulli is training with the team it seems, but he was not called up. How did that happen?
No he is not… He is with ajax
Tagliafico was already a promising player at Independiente playing under Ariel Holan circa 2018. Some of us felt that he already deserved to be part of the NT back then. Others ridiculed the idea calling him “poor man’s Lucas Orban”. I also remember how Bauza when asked about why he was not calling him up said something stupid like Tagliafico was too short for a fullback as if height is ever an issue for that position. He is a hardworking player and in the final vs France he was very solid. Glad he played a role in our eventual victory.
Bauzas comment was very rude , weather people like or not tagliafico was always reliable player, I’m glad he is part of this success with Argentina nt under scaloni’s stewardship
Most pundits picked out Tagliafico as the one bright spark in an otherwise dismal Argentine performance in 2018.
I was told that tagla was a very smart person and that he spoke very well especially in comparison to other athletes. This interview proves that
That could translate into good coaching material, if Taglia is interested he could be a decent coach one day. Heck, if troglodyte looking Tevez can coach, why not Taglia?
😂😂😂😂 good point. Tevez and his crazy stories. U guys hear about him bullying the young players at man united ? 😂
Tagliafico played a pivotal role in our 2022 triumph. He rose above what he had done for the team before that. I had always preferred Acuna over him before 2022. Now no more.
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