New Argentina Manager was at Liverpool and Man U today to talk to Masch and Tevez and their respective club managers. Meeting a player that is idolised by so many of our players (and our coaching staff) should give them all a lift. Masch looks certain to be the new Argentina Captain. Maradona really rates Javier Mascherano. In the past Maradona has said Masch is more important to Argentina than Riquelme and Messi and that Argentina is Mascherano plus 10 others! Having the Captain of Argentina at Anfield would raise LFC's profile in Argentina and increase the chances of attracting top Argentine players to Anfield. Even Valdano has been saying he admires Liverpool and offering praise to our fans!
I thought I heard that Masch turned down the opportunity to be captain. Maybe he thinks he's too young at this point or something? He's certainly got the experience.
Initially he said he did not want to comment until it was actually offered to him. I think Maradona will persuade him to accept it.
Maradona called him a monster! I was working in the lab late one night When my eyes beheld an eerie sight For my monster from his slab began to rise And suddenly to my surprise He did the mash He did the monster mash The monster mash It was a graveyard smash He did the mash It caught on in a flash He did the mash He did the monster mash
Argentina = Mascherano + 10 others......this has to be the greatest statement ever! And its true, Riquelme's role in the team diminished and is not what it was two years ago. Then the team was more or less centered around him and his style of playe but the team has become a lot more balanced since and the incorporation of younger players has made the team more dynamic. Even though he is still relatively young, Masch is already one of the veterans on the team and integral to every successfull performance. Great choice as captain. We have a lot of capable leaders on this Liverpool team.
Let's see here... Keane = captain of Ireland Yossi = captain of Israel Gerrard = vice-captain of England (I think...?) Masch = possible captain of Argentina Hyypia = captain of Finland Most of our players who aren't captains of their respective national teams are also great leaders - Carra, Reina, Xabi, and Torres, etc. These types of players are integral to championship sides.
The leaders in the team is something I have thought about. Gerrard - Captain of the Club and has Captained England on occasion. Keane - Captain of Ireland and formerly Captain of Spurs. Kuyt - former Captain of Feyenoord. Hyypia - former Captain of Liverpool and former Captain of Finland. Torres - youngest ever Captain of Atletico Madrid. Mascherano - Captain of Argentina 2008 Olympic Football Team, probable future Captain of Argentina. Lucas - Former Captain of the Brazil U-20 side Alonso - Former Captain of Real Sociedad Benayoun - Captain of Israel Carragher - Former Captain of England U-21. Add in Reina who has a Captain's personality and that's a lot of players with leadership qualities in the team. Contrast this with Arsenal who have a distinct shortage of leaders in their side.
Do you think it has anything to do with his move to Boca? I know that after the WC he wasn't the same and his refusal to adapt with the Yellow Submarines forced his move back home. I though he had regained his old form during the Copa America, but the beat down he received from Brazil's B squad negated all his good work. Also the competition level in Argentina isn't the same as La Liga, so he really hasn't had to push himself too hard. I'd like to see the Riquelme's of old form, not at the expense of Mashcerano, but when he is winning he sure is good to watch.
I cant believe you've all left out Agger...he will be the next 'Carra' in the backline, barking out the orders to the rest of the defence and midfield. I wouldnt be surprised to see him as the next vice-captain once Carra retires (if he ever does).
I think that may have something to do with it. He is turning 31 next year and is looking past his peak and when he left Spain he was looking for a more suitable environment. Boca and Argentina are still one of the top clubs and leagues in the world but the expectations are not the same as they were in La Liga, being the center of a team on the up, looking to challenge the likes of Barca and Madrid for the title and a contender in European competitions. In the end, I don't think he was up for playing that big a part anymore and was just looking for a more comfortable environment and role. Some of that probably rubbed off on his role in the NT. Plus, there was also the constant wave of dectrators who never let him forget that he never stepped up when his team needed him the most. Oh well, move on Roman. Let the Monster take over.
Riquelme is still important to Argentina. The perfect example of this was their last WCQing match where he didn't play because of suspension. It was possibly Argentina's worst performance in recent years. They weren't able to create a dangerous goal scoring opportunity all match. Riquelme's also the top scorer for Argentina right now in the WCQ's. He might be slow but he retains possession like no other and even when he has an off day he can still damage you with a great through ball or free kick. One of the problems Maradona now has to face is that dependance on Riquelme. He needs to figure out a good working line up without Riquelme. Because yes he's getting older and you need variety. That being said Mascherano has been Argentina's best player since about 2004. He's yet to have a bad tournament since he became a regular on the first team and when it seems like the rest of the team is playing like crap he still gives it his all. That's what Diego meant by Mascherano +10. Him becoming the leader of Argentina has little to do with Riquelme. That's kind of a myth that he never stepped up. When he was taken off in the Germany-Argentina WC match Argentina were winning 1-0 after he assisted the goal. He had nothing to do with what happened afterwards. In the Copa America he was Argentina's top scorer and best player after Mascherano. In the final against Brazil he created Argentina's best chances including hitting the post. But the entire team underperformed. Since then he helped the team win the Olympics and as I said right now he's the top scorer for Argentina in the WCQ's. There's a lot of people that hate Riquelme's attitude and his slower more traditional style of play so they use him as the scapegoat for everything.
I think Riquelme, alongside Messie, is a key part of Argentina's attack. His ball retention is second to none.
Mascherano has been a beast for Argentina and Liverpool. He loves playing for Liverpool, but he loves Argentina so much more. He is a great player with a great mentality. He is a warrior, but also a good teammate. He has the respect of those that play with and against him. He is also incredibly consistent and very committed to being a good player on the field. You can see it in his actions. Even though Liverpool have players like Gerrard, Keane, and Torres that really stand-out at times in matches. Mascherano is often the unsung hero, and it's hard to imagine him not in our squad. Argentina are similar and better, because they have Aguero, Rodriguez, Messi, etc that get a lot of attention, but he has been dominant for them over the last couple of years. I hope he becomes captain of Argentina, so he can have a good chance at lifting the World Cup in 2010.
Apparently a lot of the lads lined up for pics and autographs with Maradona. I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable with him now- I prefered him back when he was in his prime- as these pics indicate!
He's been better and stood out more than all those flashy attacking players and he's mainly a defensive guy. That should tell you about the quality of his performances for Argentina.