World Player of the Year Lionel Messi was back in the Argentine fans good-books after his mesmerising display against Nigeria helped them to a 3-1 win in Dhaka last night.
Only a few months back Argentine fans booed Messi off the pitch at the end of their 0-0 draw with Colombia in the Copa America, but it seems all is forgiven for now at least as his every touch was cheered in last nights friendly victory over Nigeria.
Adidas have agreed a new sponsorship deal with the Argentine soccer team until December 2022, despite the teams early Copa America elimination to Uruguay on Penalties on home soil. Argentina have been wearing Adidas shirts since the 1974 World Cup where Germany also wore the same sponsored shirts.
It’s another giant deal for Adidas who have been supplying equipment to Referee’s, volunteers, ball kids and the Official match footballs for the World Cup, although the Jabulani came in for some criticism for the 2010 World Cup In South Africa with some players comparing it to a beach ball rather than a football.
In addition to been the major sponsors of World Cups, Adidas also supply equipment to the MLS and the Champions League to name a few, while also supplying major teams such as Real Madrid, Marseille, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, AC Milan and Liverpool.
Stars such as Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Kaka, David Villa and Michael Ballack are also among the players who represent their respective clubs wearing Adidas equipment and not to forget Adidas also supply World and European Champions Spain with their attire.
Carlos Tevez seen his penalty saved as Uruguay dumped Argentina out of the 2011 Copa America 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time. Both teams ended the game with 10 men, Uruguay were reduced to 10 men in the 38th minute when Perez was given his marching orders before Javier Mascherano was shown his red 4 minutes before the end of normal time.
Lionel Messi finally found his feet as he helped Argentina to a 3-0 win over Costa Rica last night as the Argentine’s made the Copa America Quarter-Finals on home soil
Sergio Aguero saved Copa America host Argentina from humiliation last night after coming off the bench to score the equaliser against Bolivia in the Copa America opener.
Lionel Messi gave another master-class of skills as Argentina thumped Albania 4-0 in a friendly.
Nigeria thrashed Argentina 4-1 at the Abuja National Stadium tonight, with goals from Ike Uche 2, Victor Obinna and Emanuel Emunike who scored the goal of the game.
However Argentina only fielded two player’s who are named for their up-coming Copa America squad but the history books won’t read that as Nigeria beat the Puma’s for the very first time in their history albeit it only a friendly.
Just after the “Hand of God”, Diego Maradona pops up with this absolute cracker versus England at World Cup 1986. This goal really cemented his status as one of the best soccer players of all time!
Diego Maradona has been inevitably sacked as manager of the Argentina National team despite him declaring his interest of staying on as coach.
His job had been in doubt since Germany hammered Argentina at the Quarter- Finals stage of this Summers World Cup in South Africa going down 4-0.
Maradona’s sacking comes after he declared yesterday: “I really want to stay as coach, but it depends on Argentina Football Association President Julio Grondona. If they touch a hair of one of my guys, even if the Masseur or the Kitman, I’m going. I want to continue the adventure but not with just anyone. I chose these people. I want to continue with them.
Grondona now faces a race against time to appoint a successor for the job ahead of Argentina’s Copa America campaign and it seems as though they will be manager-less when to face the Rep of Ireland at the new Aviva Stadium in a few weeks time.
Carlos Bianchi, Alex Sabella, Americo Gallego, Marcelo Bielsa and Ramon Diaz are among the favourites to replace the controversial Diego Maradona as the National team coach.
The Quarter- Finals are nearly upon us and it has thrown up some fantastic match-ups. Their are only three Continents left in the World Cup, Africa, Europe and the mighty South Americans. Here’s a look at my predictions for this the final eight of the 2010 World Cup.
BRAZIL v HOLLAND
Brazil have looked unstoppable since they narrowly defeated the North Koreans 2-1 in their opening match, with that goal the only one conceded by the Brazilians thus far. While the Dutch have been quietly going about their business with four wins from four also. With their emphasis on a strong defensive unit and attacking down both flanks I can see them beating the Brazilians, if they can learn to stop fighting amongst one another they can go all the way to the Final.
PREDICTION: Holland
URUGUAY v GHANA
Ghana were superb in the first-half against the United States but seemed to run out of ideas in the second letting their opponents back into the game, their tactics of shoot-on-sight can be frustrating to watch but has got them this far so they won’t complain. Uruguay have shown the best attacking soccer of the tournament with both their strikers shown they have an eye for goal and I expect them to be no different against Ghana.
PREDICTION: Uruguay
GERMANY v ARGENTINA
Both teams won their last games in controversial circumstances while still looking the better teams on the night. Their is no love lost between these two teams and I expect this game to be a card fest, but think Germany will triumph as Argentina seem too crumble when under pressure.
PREDICTION: Germany
SPAIN v PARAGUAY
Paraguay served up a bore draw against Japan before winning through on penalties, while Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in an equally boring game. I expect Spain to win this comfortably but the way Spanish keeper Iker Casillas has been performing of late their may be an up-set on the cards, but I still expect a Spain win
PREDICTION: Spain
