GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Argetina press conference as squad train ahead of their World Cup match against Serbia and Montenegro

Record ID: 447824

  • Title: GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Argetina press conference as squad train ahead of their World Cup match against Serbia and Montenegro
  • Date: 14th June 2006
  • Summary: WIDE VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINA DEFENDER ROBERTO AYALA, SPEAKING: "I don't know really. Each one of us, I think Julio said, we want to play, do our part. Of course, the one that doesn't play and then gets to play is happy, if you want to put it that way. The best way is to show it day by day in the matches and to show the coach that you've got to play." MEDIA AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINA DEFENDER ROBERTO AYALA, SAYING: "So,we will continue to see with more detail maybe, the individuality that they have as the days progress and to take the most advantage of our training to get ready for the game." WIDE VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 29th June 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA7Z9YQY1XSTGXVUFM9SJDVZMYS
  • Story Text: The teenage features of prodigy Lionel Messi stare down from giant posters in Germany but Argentina fans and the man himself were anxious on Tuesday (June 13) to know when he will make his World Cup debut.
    Messi remained on the bench when coach Jose Pekerman's Argentina beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in their opening Group C match in Hamburg at the weekend.
    Argentina media reported that he was the only player who did not go on to the AOL Arena pitch at the final whistle to celebrate the victory with the 14 players who had taken part in the match and the rest of the squad.
    Messi headed straight for the dressing room where 1986 World Cup-winning captain Diego Maradona had surprised the team with an unscheduled appearance just before kickoff to give them a pep talk and promise to pay for a lunch together if they won.
    Messi, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on June 24, the day of or day after Argentina's second round match if they get through, is desperate to play, according to some media, although he recognises that decision rests with Pekerman.
    He is fully recovered from the thigh injury that deprived him of taking part in Barcelona's Champions League victory in Paris, another match after which he quickly disappeared down the tunnel rather than celebrating with his team mates on the pitch.
    Media speculation has the sportswear giant adidas, who kit out the Argentina squad and put up the giant Messi posters, possibly pushing for Messi's inclusion in the team.
    True or not, Pekerman is waiting for what he deems the right moment, much like Sven-Goran Eriksson with Wayne Rooney although for different reasons. Messi, with seven caps since his debut last August, is less experienced internationally.
    This could come against Serbia & Montenegro in Argentina's second Group C match in Gelsenkirchen on Friday, perhaps if the starting 11 struggle or fall behind.
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