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Julio Cruz talks about Argentina, Lionel Messi, Gabriel Batistuta, more

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Julio Cruz gave an interview where he spoke about his time with the Argentina national team, Gabriel Batisuta, Lionel Messi and much more.

Cruz played 22 matches with the Argentina national team with one of them coming in a World Cup quarter final. He scored his penalty in the shootout and that was his final World Cup game. If you missed it, we had a piece on the former Inter man. Speaking in an interview with the AFA website, here’s what Cruz had to say about it all.

What it meant for his career to play with the Argentina national team:

“Wearing the colors of Argentina is the best thing that can happen to you as a footballer. Today, I saw a picture of myself in 1998 or 1999. I was very young and there I was, next to some beasts. With time, I understood that representing an entire country is something immense, difficult to put into words.”

What he remembers from the 2006 World Cup:

“I lived various periods. I was lucky enough to be part of the Argentina national team for most of my career. In 1998, I wasn’t selected to travel but I was part of the national team. In 2002, I was part of the World Cup qualifiers but Bielsa didn’t select me. And finally in 2006, I was selected to go to Germany.

“I was proud that Jose (Pekerman) had given me the opportunity to be part of that team that was meant for more. The elimination hurt a lot. It was a team full of great players and great people. It’s things that happen in football where you win, you draw and you lose. Everyone wants to win but we also have to recognize that when you lose, the important thing is to give it your all and I believe we did that.”

Which great players did was he with while in the Argentina national team:

“If I had to mention one, I always admired Gabriel Batistuta because he played in my position and as a goalscorer, he was extraordinary. After that, I wasn’t able to play with Diego (Maradona), I would have loved to have shared a locker room with him.

“From the present, logically it’s Messi. Although he was young, you could see he was going to be different.”

What year was his best:

“I believe my best period was from when I was 25 until 33 years of age. I felt it. I remember a time with Bologna where I was very mature. I believe my second year in Italy, I was reaching my peak. I saw football another way.”

FC Barcelona, AS Roma interested in Argentina striker Adolfo Gaich

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FC Barcelona and AS Roma are among some of the clubs interested in signing Argentina U20 man Adolfo Gaich.

With rumors a few months ago that San Lorenzo were about to sell Gaich to Club Brugge in Belgium, that deal eventually fell through. Per a report by AS, two European giants are interested in signing the Argentina man.

Gaich is reportedly being looked at by FC Barcelona and AS Roma. It’s no secret that Barcelona are looking to sign someone to eventually replace the ageing Luis Suarez and while they are continuing to chase fellow Argentine Lautaro Martinez, someone in Barcelona has reportedly asked about the player.

AS Roma are the other club looking to sign him. The club reportedly see him as someone for the future.

He has already been capped by the senior Argentina national team.

Lisandro Martinez talks Argentina team, Ajax, life in Netherlands, more

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Lisandro Martinez gave an interview where he spoke about the Argentina national team, Ajax, life in the Netherlands and more.

Martinez is still in his first year in Europe but has adapted well. He’s earned a starting spot with Ajax and has even made his debut with the Argentina national team. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, here’s what he had to say:

“The truth is that you have to think of your health. We are people and we have to take care of ourselves. It’s a lot from an economic point of view but we have to be careful and hope that every decision taken is the best for everyone.”

His experience with the Argentina national team and if he sees himself at the Olympics in Tokyo:

“I will always be available, be it for the U23 team or for the senior Argentina national team. Anything that has to do with the national team, I’ll be there. I don’t know how it’s going to be next year but I’d like to be there.”

What he’s doing during the quarantine as he has been inside for more than a month.

“I’m doing well, training, I’m here with my girlfriend. We try to distract ourselves a bit by watching Netflix. We are well, we have to worry about those who are suffering because of it.”

When he opens the computer, what does he look for first? The news over there or the news here?

“No, the news from Argentina. I’m watching it all the time to see what happens there. I don’t watch the channels from here in the Netherlands.”

How he feels being distant from what’s happening in Argentina:

“I feel bad. I feel bad for those who are really suffering from it. Let’s hope that the government is on the side of the people who need them and that the people who are doing well or don’t lack anything, try to support those who are in need the most.”

And in the Netherlands:

“Here in quarantine, people walk around on the streets. The shops are closed. Today I saw that the kids are going to start school. I want this to be over with.”

How is he with his family that live in Argentina:

“I’m always in contact with them. It’s very difficult to be so far away. Right now, you want to be with the family but you have to be strong. Regarding the precautions, we help each other all the time. Thank God they are all very well.”

Psychologically speaking, how is he:

“I’m very strong mentally. At times, I have days where I feel overwhelmed and don’t want to do anything. But I’m doing well. They are moments to reflect, to find yourself too and to improve.”

What will happen there regarding the league:

“From what I understand, they will tell us about it on Friday. I have no idea.”

If he cares or not since it would be his first championship in Europe:

“I’m not going to think about myself, I’m not selfish. If a decision is made, it should be same decision in all of the European leagues. Although we are tied on points with AZ, I would like to play a match against them to see who would be champion.”

He’s been a starter all season. If he was worried about getting to Ajax and not playing:

“I knew I was coming to a very big team. I came focused and I decided to play. I knew where I was going and I worked a lot, mentally speaking. When I first started training, it was difficult. It’s another rhythm, the key is to control the ball.

“In the third week, I started to adapt to the group. After a friendly, I won my spot and the coach started to put me in every game.”

Lucas Alario of Bayer Leverkusen talks about his spot with Argentina

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Lucas Alario gave an interview where he spoke about his spot with the Argentina national team.

Alario has played six matches for Argentina, scoring three goals. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, the Bayer Leverkusen forward had this to say:

“I don’t think I won a place at all, if I did, I would be mistaken and that would mean I’d relax. I have to take an exam every weekend. That’s how I think.”

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid interested in signing Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax

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Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both reportedly interested in signing Argentina left back Nicolas Tagliafico.

The Ajax man is rumored to be leaving the club in the summer and two clubs in Spain are being linked to signing the 27 year old. Per a report by Marco Timmer of Vl_nl, both clubs want to sign Tagliafico but Ajax have not yet been approached by either club.

Tagliafico himself has stated that he would like to make a bigger move in Europe.