Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about the current workload on the elite players.

Lionel Scaloni has a squad which is mostly made up of players that are signed to European clubs. And the constant travelling between South America and Europe is a worry for the international treble winning coach.

Scaloni spoke in an interview about the current number of matches on the elite players. In an interview with FIFPRO, here is what he had to say:

“[The situation] worries us a lot, yes. When Argentina plays in Venezuela, for example, there is not only the workload of the player from the previous game in Europe to consider, but also the travel. Then the second game, you have to go back to Buenos Aires which is another seven hours of travel.

“The reality is that it is unthinkable that this can improve, because the players all play in Europe and the number of matches isn’t going to change.”

In regards to the South American World Cup qualifiers which begin in September:

“The truth is that we have very little time and we try to think more about recovery than training because all we want is for them to perform at their best – we can’t overload them. This in itself represents a setback that must be dealt with in the best way possible.”

The World Cup winning coach added the following:

“They are the main actors, the ones who will have to stand up at one point and say, ‘either this happens or we don’t continue’. Communication is fundamental for these issues, especially the captains, the most experienced players.

“Nowadays there are South American players in the big clubs everywhere, and they have great relationships amongst each other. To give an example: when there was the issue of the pandemic [they were discussing whether or not to play in the Copa America], they were constantly talking and reaching agreements among themselves.

“They have to know that, if they are well, the show is going to be better; if they are not well, if they are tired, if they are overloaded with games, the show is what it is. But communication is key, and everyone should know that, despite the fact that it is a show and that everyone wants more games to be played, it is also important that the players recover and that they are well.”

The article on FIFPro states that Argentina goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli left Ajax on May 28 and flew just under 11,500 km from Amsterdam to Buenos Aires to be with his family and days later flew almost 20,000 km to China for to be with the Argentina national team.

Alejandro Garnacho spoke in an interview about wanting to play with the Argentina national team.

Garnacho gave his first interview to Argentine television, speaking with TyC Sports as he is with the team during their Asian tour. The 18 year old is expected to get some minutes in Argentina’s matches against Australia or Indonesia later this week and he has spoken about the tour. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, here is what he had to say:

“I didn’t hesitate at all because I feel Argentine, because I am Argentine. They bet on me and I had it clear, it is a very big national team. I don’t need to play three games, this tour doesn’t matter, I already know that I want to be with Argentina.

“The entire family from my mother’s side is from Argentina, they have always lived there. And the family from my father’s side are from Spain. For circumstances in life, my mother’s family came to Spain and she met my dad and I was born there. And I am very close to my mom’s family, always supporting the national team since I was a kid.”

He also spoke about the support he has gotten from the fans:

“Thank you to every one for the support. They already know, I am just another one (of the players) here, I am part of the group and we are going to try to continue to bring joy. I want to make my history here, little by little, to be with the group and to be happy here. Let’s go forward.

“From what I read, through social media, I know that many people in Argentina love me, appreciate me. Because of the decision I made to play for Argentina, most of them love me. And I am going to return that love on the pitch.”

About if he spoke with Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni:

“I didn’t speak with Scanloni before coming here. I spoke a lot with Roberto Ayala. So that I would know before the list came out that I would be here. He asked me if I was nervous and I told him I wasn’t. When I play I try to be me. I’m a young guy but I don’t care about age, I try to play the way I know how.”

“I want to make a career with the Argentina national team, if the coach trusts me, I can keep coming. To be one more and participate in the Copa America, the qualifiers and the World Cup.”

About being with the Argentina national team:

“My team mates are very good with me, very involved. Encouraging me, supporting me… I didn’t talk much with Messi. I went from watching him on TV all my life and now I have him here, it seems that it’s not real. The coach tells me to be calm, to play as I know he is going to give me the opportunity.

“People have seen me people, my main position is left winger. But wherever you put me, I’m not complaining. Wherever the coach decides, I’ll be there.

“Here, they call me Ale and Licha (Lisandro Martinez) calls me Garna because in Manchester that’s what they call me. Lisandro Martínez is like my father in Manchester. He tells me when I’m doing well and when I’m doing bad. He helps me a lot. He’s a 10 as a person. He talks to me about the national team.”

On having not played in the U20 World Cup:

“I lost the U20 World Cup because the competition in Manchester was still going on. I spoke a lot with the coach (Erik ten Hag), I asked him please (to let him go) but he told me I couldn’t go. But I followed them on television.”

On the World Cup final:

“It was unbelievable, crazy. I think both Argentina and Leo deserved it. They had a very good World Cup. The final, with the penalty kicks, it was terrific (the match) and everyone was suffering.

“I watched it with my mom, my grandfather, my brother… In the end, it happened and it ended as we were expecting.”

Argentine football:

“Argentine football is not known much there. But the Libertadores or River, Boca, yes, I like to follow.”

Julián Álvarez and Máximo Perrone both won the Champions League with Manchester City.

Álvarez and Perrone were both on the bench for Manchester City in their 1-0 win vs. Inter in the final. For Julián Álvarez, that’s four trophies this season.

The 23 year old won the World Cup with the Argentina national team while lifting the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester City. He is now the 10th male player in history to win the World Cup and the European Cup in the same season.

For Máximo Perrone, it’s a club treble having won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

At the age of 23, Julián Álvarez has now won the following trophies:

World Cup
Copa America
Finalissima
Argentine Primera
Copa Libertadores
Copa Argentina
Supercopa Argentina
Trofeo de Campeones
Recopa Sudamericana
Champions League
Premier League
FA Cup

Congratulations to both Julián Álvarez and Máximo Perrone!