Juan RIQUELME: “There’s no one like MESSI”

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May 16, 2016

Juan RIQUELME took to the radio in Argentina to discuss Lionel MESSI, the Copa America and more.

The former Argentina international played alongside Lionel MESSI for several years (including a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics) and came out talking about his former team mate. Here’s what he had to say:

"If MESSI doesn’t get injured, Argentina will win the Copa America. He’s the best in the world. We have to be careful and enjoy him. There’s no one like MESSI, not here, not anywhere. I’m Argentine and I was lucky to play with him. I’m confident for this Copa America. Argentina’s getting closer. There’s good players and MESSI’s doing well."

"Why haven’t we won anything? Because MESSI is left to play on his own. We need to look after him. There’s no one like MESSI."

Here’s a video of Juan RIQUELME and Lionel MESSI linking up with the National Team:

Gonzalo HIGUAIN breaks Serie A scoring record

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Roy Nemer

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May 16, 2016

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A goalscoring record which has been held since the 1949-1950 season was finally broken over the weekend by Napoli’s Gonzalo HIGUAIN.

Gunnar NORDAHL’s record 35 goals in a single Serie A season was broken as HIGUAIN netted a hattrick in the last league match of the season. HIGUAIN entered Saturday’s match against Frosinone on 33 goals, knowing that a double will tie the record and only a hattrick would break it.

And just as he’s done all season long for his club, HIGUAIN delivered and in spectacular fashion. HIGUAIN scored a hattrick (his third an overhead/side volley) as he finishes his season with 36 goals in 35 matches.

Here are highlight’s from Napoli’s 4-0 win against Frosinone.

HIGUAIN’s third goal in full with celebrations:

Pablo ZABALETA, PINOLA to miss Copa America

By

Roy Nemer

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May 13, 2016

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Both Pablo ZABALETA and Javier PINOLA will miss the Copa America for Argentina.

Pablo ZABALETA will miss Manchester City’s final league game of the season and will also miss the Copa America for Argentina as he will undergo surgery. The surgery is for a recurring ankle injury in his right foot.

As for Javier PINOLA, he has a fractured right tibia and is expected to be out for 6 months (this is based off initial reports).

More pre-Olympic friendly matches announced

By

Roy Nemer

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May 9, 2016

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In addition to the pre-Olympic friendly match taking place against Colombia, two more matches have been announced for the Olympic team. The first against Haiti and the second against the winners of the 2012 London Olympic champions, Mexico. Here’s the schedule for the Olympic team.

Pre-Olympic friendly matches:
July 20: Argentina vs. Colombia in Miami.

July 24: Argentina vs. Haiti in Miami.

July 27: Argentina vs. Mexico in Mexico City.

2016 Rio Olympics:
August 4: Argentina vs. Portugal in Rio de Janeiro

August 7: Argentina vs. Algeria in Rio de Janeiro

August 10: Argentina vs. Honduras in Brasilia

Pablo AIMAR talks 2002 World Cup, more

By

Roy Nemer

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May 9, 2016

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The recently retired Pablo AIMAR commented on Lionel MESSI’s genius, the 2002 World Cup and more. Speaking to Goal Argentina, here’s what AIMAR had to say:

“Imagine if tomorrow you rent out a pitch and MESSI comes along. As soon as he grabs the ball you know he’s going to score on you or do something great. He will make you better as well whoever plays with him. He does not play alone.”

“I think that he thinks and acts at the same moment. Or maybe he even acts before he thinks. But the amazing thing is that, be it a final, semifinal or whatever, he plays knowing that he can decide the game.”

“I think that is what JORDAN used to do, he used to say he had missed more shots than he had made, but he shot all the same in order to win. Federer is another monster. They play a match and go for the lines knowing they could miss, but knowing as well as if they win it is for them, and if they lose too.”

“MESSI is like JORDAN.”

About the 2002 World Cup debacle:
“It all went wrong. That team had been great in the qualifiers and had great players. Football is a mystery. AYALA got injured, and he was the best around. VERON was not fit, and he was the brain of the team. I still can not offer a decent explanation.”

About Diego SIMEONE’s Atletico Madrid:
“When we were in Valencia and we had to play against Ronaldo or Rivaldo or FIGO or ZIDANE, or against Beckham, we did exactly the same thing as Cholo’s Atletico Madrid. To be up there with Barcelona and Real Madrid you have to play like that.”

“We won loads that way, but if you look back there must have been lots of 1-0 games because we used to score and fall back. I used to play the same role as GRIEZMANN now.”