When Argentina arrived back in Buenos Aires yesterday, they were welcomed back as if they had won their 3rd World Cup.
Argentina squad arriving back in Buenos Aires
That was in stark contrast to scenes in Brazil, where the team was greeted with catcalls and fans were seen to push and shove their players, as the hot favorites had been eliminated 2-1 in the quarter finals by the Netherlands, and hardly showed any grace in defeat in that second half.
But Argentina played much better than expected, but in the end were well beaten 4-0 by a very strong Germany side, who had earlier smashed England 4-1.
And it’s clear the fans want manager Diego Maradona, a huge character at this summer’s World Cup, to stay on as manager, and it’s true that football fans have never seen so many players kissed by their manager – ever. 😀
But to be fair to Maradona he showed huge pride and passion for his country, there’s no doubt about that, and that translated to the players, who played a lot better than expected, until the Germany game.
The Argentine fans want Maradona to stay on as manager for next year’s s Copa America, which Argentina is hosting, as well as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Newcastle star Jonas, who played in three of the five games, but was a surprising no show against Germany said today:
“I never expected people would react this way, but it’s a huge joy,” “The fans gave us an incredible amount of support.”
“We are very angry because we wanted to stay in the competition for them, but could not.”
Maradona is still to decide if he will stay on as Argentina manager, but it seems his squad hope he will still be in charge when they play Ireland in a friendly on August 1 1, as the inaugural game of the fantastic new Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The new Aviva Stadium in Ireland
During the welcome home party at the Argentina FA, it is being reported that Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Mario Bolatti all tried to persuade the former world-class player to stay on as manager.
Diego, being an egomaniac if we ever saw one, will just love that, but we also think the very positive welcome home of the team by the passionate Argentine fans could well persuade Maradona to say on.
And we hope he does because football needs the larger than life characters like Diego Maradona.
Jonas added:
Being managed by Maradona is a unique thing. I would like it if he were to continue, but it is his decision,
In truth the Argentina squad were a credit it their country.
Comments welcome.
2 comments so far
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 5, 2010 at 4:03 PM
Comment #1Well done to them, I thought they would go all the way but it wasnt to be.
Thump
Jul 5, 2010 at 4:08 PM
Comment #2Same, but Germany tore them apart.
Nice to see we could get one (two?) more goals than Argie in, though!