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Argentina rumored to play Italy in Diego Maradona Cup

Roy Nemer
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With rumors flying high, reports are now coming out that Argentina will play Italy in the Diego Maradona Cup.

It’s a match that has been played in the past, the Copa America winners against the European Cup winners. While the FIFA Confederations Cup has, in recent years, been the go to tournament in regards to seeing the different confederation champions clashing against each other, that doesn’t appear to be the case for this year.

With no Confederations Cup because of COVID, rumors have been flying around for several weeks and months that we could be seeing a match between the Copa America winners and the Euro winners. And with Argentina winning the Copa America and Italy winning the Euro’s, the legendary name of Diego Maradona has served as a link between both nations.

Per unofficial reports, FIFA have agreed to have the Diego Maradona Cup played between both countries. It’s being rumored that the match would be taking place in Naples, the city where Maradona made himself a legend in, at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium. Per the unofficial reports, the match could be played in December but seeing as how there are no official FIFA dates for that month, it could be difficult.

The 2021 Copa America winners have World Cup qualifying matches in September, October and November with other rumors being that if the match would not be taking place in December, it could be played after the European club season ends, a few months before the 2022 World Cup.

Argentina have previously taken part in a match like this one but back in 1993. Alfio Basile’s team, who had won the Copa America, played 1992 European winners Denmark for the Artemio Franchi Trophy. A match which Argentina won in a penalty shootout and also the match which saw Diego Maradona win his last ever trophy with the national team.

Lionel Messi leader in nine Copa America stats

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In addition to winning and lifting the trophy with Argentina, Lionel Messi had an amazing performance in the 2021 Copa America and leads in nine of the stats.

Here, all the Copa America stats where Messi was the best:
– Most goals (4)*
– Most assists (5)
– Most free kick goals (2)
– Most key passes (22)
– Most chances created (26)
– Most successful dribbles (36)
– Most goal creating actions (8)
– Most shot creating actions (46)
– Most accurate through balls (4)

*Luis Díaz, from Colombia, also scored four goals.

This is the video Messi posted via his Instagram account, which is a great recap of his best plays during the tournament:

With the stunning Copa America Messi had, which ended up with his national team lifting the trophy, the Ballon d’Or FIFA 2021 seems to have a clear candidate. Will Lionel Messi be able to win his 7 th Ballon d’Or, this year?

Argentina U23 draw 2-2 vs. South Korea, Alexis Mac Allister, Valenzuela score

Roy Nemer
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48

While the Argentina national team won the Copa America, the U23 team is preparing for their first gold medal since the 2008 Olympics.

Argentina U23 coach Fernando Batista saw his team draw 2-2 vs. South Korea in a friendly match. Here was the starting XI for the match:

J. Ledesma
De La Fuente
Mosevich
Medina
Bravo
Vera
Colombatto
Valenzuela
Mac Allister
Barco
Gaich

It was Alexis Mac Allister who gave Argentina the 1-0 lead with a great strike. Adolfo Gaich recovered the ball in midfield as he assed it to Alexis and the Brighton man with a strike from distance opened the scoring. South Korea would draw level with a strike of their own from outside of the penalty area. Seol with hit from outside of the penalty area as he beat Ledesma.

Fernando Valenzuela re-gave Argentina the lead with another fantastic Argentina goal. He would receive the ball on the edge of the penalty area as he would cut inside and curl a shot into the top corner of the net.

While it looked like Batista’s team were on their way to a victory, Won-Sang Um with a goal from outside of the penalty area in injury time of the second half.

Lionel Messi on Copa America win: “Thank you God for making me Argentine”

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After winning the Copa America with Argentina, Lionel Messi posted a touching video and some heartfelt lines via his Instagram account.

“In the Maracana and the classico against Brazil…”

That is how Messi started his post.

“It was an incredible cup. We know that we can still improve many things but the truth is that the boys left their souls, and I cannot be prouder to be the captain of this spectacular group.”

Then, Leo thanked his family, his friends, the Argentina fans, and Diego Maradona:

“I want to dedicate this triumph to my family, who always gave me the strength to keep going, to my friends, that I love so much, to all the people who support us, and especially to the 45 million Argentines who had such a bad time with this shit of a virus, especially those that suffered it more closely. It goes for all of you. And, of course, also for Diego, who surely supported us from wherever he is.”

After these lines, Messi sent a message of awareness to all the Argentines, so that they continue to take care of Covid-19, which in Argentina is still causing a lot of deaths:

“In order to continue celebrating, we have to continue taking care of ourselves. Let’s not forget that there is still a long way to go to return to normality. Let’s take advantage of this happiness to gain a little strength, so we can fight together and beat the virus.”

Messi finished his post with a sentence worthy of framing:

“Thank you, God, for everything you gave me, and thank you for making me Argentine! CHAMPIONS OF AMERICA!!!!!”

Atletico Madrid sign Argentina Copa America winner Rodrigo De Paul

Roy Nemer
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56

Atletico Madrid have announced the signing of Argentina Copa America winner Rodrigo De Paul.

It has been long rumored but finally official, De Paul is an Atletico Madrid player. The recently crowned Copa America champion joins on a five year contract.

This would not be De Paul’s first stint in Spain. He joined Valencia back in 2014 from boyhood club Racing Club. He spent two years signed to Valencia but spent part of those two years on loan at Racing.

He later joined Udinese in 2016 where he would go on to become their captain. In the prime of his career, De Paul is 27 years of age and has become an integral part of the Argentina national team.

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