Alejandro Papu Gomez spoke about the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi, the World Cup and winning the Copa America.
Papu Gomez is selected for the Argentina national team and took part in the 2-1 win vs. Chile last Thursday. He was also part of the Argentina team that won the Copa America. Speaking in an interview with La Selecta, here is what he had to say about winning the Copa America with Argentina:
“What happened with the national team is priceless, all of us who are here today think that. Having won the Copa America cannot be equaled, not even by all of the money in the world. It’s the best, what any child aspires to win when they start playing football.
“This group has a great sense of belonging to the country. An atmosphere was created and a connection with the people that had not been seen for a long time.”
Gomez also commented on the Argentina national team:
“When we met again in Madrid before taking the plane, you’re already bitten by the bug. And when we get to Buenos Aires, something grabs you, you feel different. It’s 10 days where you live as if they were your last because you don’t know when it can end.
“If we could not sleep, we would not sleep. We live every minute 100%. We want to enjoy it. When we have to leave at the airport, every one of us goes back to their club and you’re left wit ha sentimental void. When it’s cut, it’s a dagger to the heart.
“If we had not won the Copa America, maybe it would have rained down criticism. What we are trying to do is maintain a line and to keep doing things as we have been doing since the first day of this Scaloni process.
“We want to connect with people, that they identify with the national team. The team has been doing well for a long time, you have everything in your favor. People are happy, they applaud you, there’s no pressure, it’s all positive.”
In regards to winning the Copa America with Lionel Messi:
“It’s clear to us that we are part of history. Achieving it with Leo is also something that’s unique. We wanted to try to help him win a title with the senior team. It was clear to him that to win the Ballon d’Or, he had to win an important title. He knew that with the Copa America, he would be close.
“We went out running, we all hugged Leo, it’s the first thing that comes to mind. If I was Acuna, I would tattoo that photo, he’s the first one to get to him and he had the privilege of being in that moment, hugging him, I would have tattooed it on my back.”
He also spoke about the World Cup:
“I think about the World Cup every day, at any moment. I believe it’s going to be a very beautiful World Cup. We are going through a great form. Even if we are no longer undefeated, because one day we are going to lose, the team has a base. It doesn’t shrink against anyone, it has personality, it has leaders and that gives you peace of mind and confidence.”
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni will make several changes to the starting XI for Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday.
Lionel Scaloni will be back on the bench coaching Argentina after testing positive and missing the 2-1 win vs. Chile on Thursday. He will be without Nicolas Tagliafico, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes, all of which are suspended for the match.
Gonzalo Montiel will start in place of Nahuel Molina while Germán Pezzella is back in the starting eleven and will alongside Lisandro Martínez. Marcos Acuña is back in the eleven for Nicolás Tagliafico.
Guido Rodriguez is back in the team after missing the match against Chile due to COVID as he will start in place of Leandro Paredes. Gio Lo Celso is back in the eleven while Lucas Ocampos is set to start in place of Alejandro Papu Gomez, who is not fully fit.
Up front, it’s between Nicolás González and Paulo Dybala while Lautaro Martínez and Angel Di María keep their place in the team. Here is the rumored XI for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier.
Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Pezzella, Lisandro Martínez, Acuña; Ocampos, Guido, Lo Celso: Nicolás González or Paulo Dybala, Lautaro, Di María.
Lionel Messi scored a penalty as Leandro Paredes missed his in PSG’s league cup loss vs. Nice.
Messi started the match for PSG wearing the number 10 shirt. With no Neymar, it was the Argentine who wore the number 10 and played the entire 90 minutes.
This was Messi’s first match of 2022 with him being out due to COVID. With the score at 0-0, the match went straight to a penalty shootout. Messi took the first penalty for PSG and score. With Mbappe taking the second, it was Leandro Paredes to keep PSG’s scoring streak alive. Paredes went to the goalkeepers right and the goalkeeper saved it. PSG went went up losing 6-5 and are eliminated from the cup.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, Julian Alvarez and the team.
Lionel Scaloni held a press conference on Monday where commented on a few of the players. Speaking to the media, here is what he had to say about Paulo Dybala”
“If we play with two forwards, Paulo can be the supportive striker and if we play with one, he can play alone. With the Argentina national team, you have to come here and perform. Everyone’s form is not always the same, it changes.”
Scaloni also spoke about Angel Di Maria:
“Angel has something different from the others. He’s very unbalancing.”
In addition, he commented on Julian Alvarez joining Manchester City:
“When he changes clubs, we will see his form. That is what we value. We are happy with him, he’s missing a bit of rhythm and that’s obvious because of vacation. It’s valuable knowing that Julian can contribute in different positions. It’s very positive for Argentine football that a player is able to make a jump of this caliber.”
The coach spoke about Guido Rodriguez who missed Argentina’s 2-1 win vs. Chile due to COVID:
“I use Guido as an example in front of his team mates. He was always in contact with us. He always showed us his desire to play and he also contributed from the outside. We’re not married to anyone, he who performs has the chance of being called up.”
Regarding the team:
“In the Argentina national team, there will always be players left out. If one looks for balance in the team, that is going to happen. The behavior of the players has always been excellent. In the offensive part, we are very much covered. There are many good ones who aren’t even covered.”
In regards to playing friendly matches before the World Cup:
“I prefer not to play against South American countries. The idea is to play against the Europeans or teams from other continents. That’s what we in the coaching staff want.””
He also spoke about the match against Brazil which was stopped:
“I have no news. It’s strange that it’s not know when it will come out. They will be taking their time to decide because it’s a complex issue.”
