Pablo AIMAR spoke about Juan Roman RIQUELME and Lionel MESSI, calling them animals.

The Valencia legend played with (and against) the world’s best players. Having played for the biggest teams in some of the biggest footballing countries, the current coach of the Argentina youth team, gave his opinion on a few subjects. Speaking in an interview with La Nacion, AIMAR had this to say:

Which players fascinated you on the pitch?

“ZIDANE, RONALDO the Brazilian, Roman (RIQUELME) is an animal, MESSI is an animal, AYALA was a beast, with ORTEGA I loved playing, with Marcelo (GALLARDO) as well. But I would see SAVIOLA’s shirt in front of me and it would give me more of a desire to play. We played on the same team, spent 3 years at River, 3 years in Lison (at Benfica) and a few times with the National Team. I’d go with more enthusiasm because I would think that this guy sees the same thing as I do and it’s likely that we’ll play well on that day.”

Were you the player you dreamed of being?

“No, no. I would have liked to have won five Balon d’Ors.”

What kind of player were you?

“I don’t know how I would categorize myself. What I can say, being humble about it, is that I enjoyed my team mates’ admiration, a lot of them having played with incredible players. And when they’re asked, they mention me.”

Pablo AIMAR on Marcelo BIELSA:

“He’s one of the best coaches (he had in his career). BIELSA marked a lot of coaches in his way of coaching and living football. He’s someone different. He makes his players better.”

Pablo AIMAR on Jose PEKERMAN:

“Jose is synonymous with tranquility. He transmitted that and a lot of security. He’ll tell you that today this will hapen and it would. And at 15, 16 or 20 years of age, to have someone give you those guaranteed was fantastic.”

Pablo AIMAR and Juan Roman RIQUELME linking up for a goal: