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Ezequiel BARCO, Franco ESCOBAR to Atlanta United in MLS

Roy Nemer
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Ezequiel BARCO and Franco ESCOBAR are set to join Atlanta United in the MLS.

A pair of Argentinian talent in the Sueprliga Argentina are set to join Gerardo “Tata” MARTINO‘s Atlanta United in the MLS. According to Cesar Luis MERLO, Ezequiel BARCO of Independiente is going to Atlanta. Per the tweet, a pre-contract is going to be signed which will make the move official only after the Copa Sudamericana final. The fee is believed to be in the $12 million region.

The other Argentinian making way to the United States is Franco ESCOBAR. The 22 year old defender appears to have already signed with the club on a three year deal. The contract reportedly gives Atlanta the chance to extend for two years.

Nicolas OTAMENDI, Gio SIMEONE and more score in Europe

Roy Nemer
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England, Italy, Spain and France saw goals scored by Argentinian players as Nicolas OTAMENDI, Gio SIMEONE, Jonathan CALLERI and Emiliano SALA all scored.

In addition to Lionel MESSI, Mauro ICARDI and Gonzalo HIGUAIN all scoring, there were four more from the sky blue and white who scored. Beginning in England, Nicolas OTAMENDI scored for Manchester City in their 2-1 win against West Ham. With Pablo ZABALETA and Manuel LANZINI both playing for the Hammers, it was Sergio AGUERO and Nicolas OTAMENDI starting for the Citizens. West Ham took the lead and it was an Argentinian who scored but it wasn’t the number 10. OTAMENDI netted his fourth goal of the season in all competitions. According to WhoScored, that’s double what he managed across his two previous seasons for City.

If OTAMENDI scored goal number four of the season, Gio SIMEONE added goal number five to his personal tally as Fiorentina picked-up a 3-0 win against Sassuolo in Serie A. SIMEONE scored a header after being left alone in the area.

Former West Ham man Jonathan CALLERI put one passed the goalkeeper for Las Palmas in a 1-1 draw against Real Betis.

In France, just like Gio SIMEONE, Emiliano SALA scored goal number five of the season as FC Nantes drew 1-1 against AS Saint-Etienne.

Gio SIMEONE’s goal:

Nicolas OTAMENDI’s goal:

Jonathan CALLERI’s goal:

Emiliano SALA’s goal:

Hernan CRESPO on Argentina’s strikers for World Cup

Roy Nemer
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43

Hernan CRESPO has come out and commented on Argentina’s strikers for the World Cup.

Legendary number 9 Hernan CRESPO knows a thing or two about playing at the top level. He’s scored goals for River Plate, Inter, AC Milan, Chelsea, the Argentina National Team and the list goes on. That’s why when he was asked about the Albiceleste’s current strikers, he’s a more than qualified person to be able to answer. Speaking on Argentinian television show “Podemos Hablar”, here’s what CRESPO had to say:

Hernan CRESPO on Argentina’s strikers:

“Mauro (ICARDI) and Gonzalo (HIGUAIN) are two different kind of players and the same goes for AGUERO. If I had to choose only two attackers for our national team I would go with Lionel MESSI and Paulo DYBALA who are two incredible players.

“If I had to choose between ICARDI and HIGUAIN I would make my decision based on being an Inter fan. However, the two of them could also play together up front and in any case they could both profit by working together.”

Argentina's strikers Hernan Crespo Tevez Messi Riquelme
Hernan Crespo at the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Tevez, Riquelme and Messi

That last comment about ICARDI and HIGUAIN being capable of playing together could be a call back to the 2002 World Cup where it seemed that everyone but then coach Marcelo BIELSA thought that both CRESPO and Gabriel BATISTUTA were able of playing together.

Mauro ICARDI and Lionel MESSI score on the weekend

Roy Nemer
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2

Mauro ICARDI and Lionel MESSI both scored for their respective clubs on the weekend.

ICARDI continues to add to his impressive numbers for Inter as he netted his 16th Serie A goal of the season. The Inter hitman scored against Chievo in their 5-0 win.

Mauro’s now scored 94 goals for his club at the age of 24 and is the 10th best goal scorer for the club.

Another Argentinian scored on the weekend, you may have heard of him, Lionel MESSI. Leo scored in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw againat Celta as he scored his 13th league goal of the season. MESSI was also heavily involved in the team’a overall play and helped setup Barcelona’s second goal.

Both Mauro ICARDI and Lionel MESSI now lead their respective leagues in goals this season.

Mauro ICARDI and Lionel MESSI goals:

Inter’s number 9 took to social media to express his thoughts on entering Inter’s top 10 all time goal scoring list. Here’s what he had to say:

“I have no words to describe this moment… It’s a beautiful moment that represents hard work and sacrifice over all these years at Inter. Today, in my fifth season in Milan, I have entered the history of this club as one of the top 10 scorers of all time.

“Thanks to all of you for the support you give me every day.”

Jorge SAMPAOLI: “Iceland will make us work, as everyone else”

Roy Nemer
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35

Argentina National Team coach Jorge SAMPAOLI took to the press to talk about Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.

Argentina coach SAMPAOLI commented on his team’s World Cup draw, stating that Iceland will make Argentina work, much like every other team. The Argentina man also spoke about Lionel MESSI and Cristiano RONALDO. Here’s what he had to say:

Jorge SAMPAOLI on Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria:

“These are rivals that are coming with few obligations and a lot of enthusiasm for a unique opportunity as the World Cup is. They are going to make us fight but it will depend on us. We need to establish a way and be the Argentina we want to be.

“Iceland will make us work, as everyone else. Nigeria is unpredictable, they are very fast. We need to study them well. Croatia has an excellent midfield line with Luka MODRIC, Ivan RAKITIC and Ivan PERISIC. They also have (Mario) MANDZUKIC as a No. 9. They are very strong.”

Jorge SAMPAOLI on Lionel MESSI and Cristiano RONALDO:

“Cristiano is an extraordinary player, but I think and feel that in the last 10 years Messi was the best player in the world, but it is my opinion, by statistics, by amount of goals, assists, flair, style, but it is a particular thought of mine.

“There are some players behind them (MESSI and Cristiano), such us NEYMAR or Luis SUAREZ, also some youngsters such as (Kylian) MBAPPE or (Ousmane) DEMBELE. They will fight for it in the future. However, while MESSI and Cristiano keep playing, the others will just fight for the third or fourth position.

“I think in every time there is a footballer who is considered the best: PELE, MARADONA and MESSI now. But now he has remained ten years in Europe, being the best player in the world, scoring more than 500 goals in this so complicated European football.

“So you don’t have to have a World Cup to be the best in the world.”

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