Young Albicelestes Potential Manchester United Stars?

Recently, I caught sight of news that Manchester United was interested in approaching Juan Manuel Iturbe. "Iturbo" as he is sometimes labelled, is touted as the new "Messi". The successful signing of Javier Hernandez meant that any potential transfer target of Sir Alex Ferguson's will bring about a good amount of scrutiny.

The other prodigious Albiceleste who could be a potential star is Erik Lamela who was coveted by Barcelona when he was only 12. This is his first full season as a River Plate first teamer, starting 12 matches and scoring three goals in the Apertura 2010. Lamela's first goal against Colon capped a fine move by River.

I caught a brief glimpse of  Juan Iturbe in the South American U-20 World Cup Qualifiers and although I could not make up my mind about his potential, I decided to ask Sam Kelly who specializes in Argentinian football at the excellent Hasta Gol El Siempre. Here are Sam's take on Erik Lamela and Juan Iturbe.

Bob (TFB4): Do you think Juan Iturbe and Erik Lamela can do well in England, skill, mentality and physical-wise?

Sam Kelly (HEGS): I can see both doing well. It's worth noting that no one in Argentina has really seen very much of Juan Manuel Iturbe at all prior to the current Sudamericano Sub 20.

Iturbe is the son of Paraguayan immigrants and though born in Buenos Aires, grew up in Asunción from an early age and has hitherto only played professional football for Paraguay's Cerro Porteno. He's currently training with Quilmes and his registration is expected to go through to allow him to play for them during the Clausura, but until then we've only seen snatches of him here so far - albeit what he's done in the Sudamericano Sub 20 to date is as impressive as any of Argentina's hitherto uninspiring campaign.

From what I've seen of him, Iturbe is a little more direct than Lamela.

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Committed To The Game - Lionel Messi Video

Along with Frank Lampard, Maxis (the leading mobile operator in Malaysia) has signed on Lionel Messi as their brand ambassador for the 2010 South Africa World Cup finals. Messi was featured in a Maxis video and you can see it here.

In the video, Argentina's Lionel Messi reveals how his parents did everything possible to enable him to realise his dream of being a world-class footballer. Of course, Messi's story is well-known and Barcelona basically took care of Messi, physically and technically transformed a raw 13-year old  into this year's World Player of The Year.  Though I am fairly sure Messi was referring to his parents, I do believe he also indicated his  undying loyalty to Barcelona for their part in making him the best player in the world.

He is certainly the jewel in a star-studded Argentina team who will be the team that everyone wants to avoid in South Africa.

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Argentina's 23-Man Squad Getting Ready For War

Diego Maradona and the Argentinian national team arrived at Pretoria very early ahead of the World Cup 2010. Clearly he has learned a thing or two about high altitude acclimatisation from that horrible 6-1 Bolivia bruising back in May 2009. Argentina will be my pick to lift the World Cup in South Africa. But the road to ultimate glory will not be easy, at least not until the quarterfinals.

I ran the Castrol Football Opponent Predictor and these are Argentina's likely opponents in the knockout stages. In short, Spain and Brazil are the two teams clearly better than Argentina so with a bit of luck, Argentina have a very good chance. After all, any team with Messi, Aguero and Milito have a better than 50% chance of lifting the World Cup trophy.

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World Cup Favourites Win Their Friendlies

Two World Cup favourites played friendlies on Monday night and got the results they wanted. England beat Mexico without playing particularly well and Argentina clobbered Canada without Messi, Milito and Samuel.

After announcing Argentina's squad of 23 last week, Maradona had this to say after winning 5-0 in Buenos Aires.

"I am encouraged that we made people happy. What I value most from the players is the desire they have to prove they can do this and much more," he said, as quoted by Spanish publication AS. "The Argentine people can be calm because we have good players that we can put on the team, when the time is right."

The five goals were scored by Maxi (2), Tevez, Di Maria and Aguero. An impressive attacking display which shows that the Argentinians are gathering form and confidence. Going into the World Cup with 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 7 midfielders and 6 strikers, Maradona has no worries at all in the attacking department. What was more controversial and surely would be a mistake is the omission of Esteban Cambiasso.

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The Maradona Rant: Signs of An Impending Nervous Breakdown

On the most emotional night in Argentinian football history, Diego Maradona celebrated Argentina's direct qualification for South Africa World Cup Finals 2010 with a sexually provocative and profanity loaded outburst towards media critics and doubters alike.

This is what Maradona let fly during that now-famous TV interview,

“To those who did not believe in us, and I apologise in advance to the ladies present, they can go and suck my c*** and they can keep sucking it,” he said.

He added, motioning to the journalists: “You people take it up the a***. You treated me like dirt, but now you have to accept that we are going to the World Cup.”

Maradona was even more ambiguous: “I am sorry to those I offended and I am sorry to the women, including my mother, who heard that language, but those who spoke out against us are anti-Argentine and I’m not going to forgive them. My words were directed at them and I don’t have to apologise to them.”

If that was the end of it, it wouldn't be the Maradona we know, would it? Hence, this video merely adds more legitimacy to public opinion that the once footballing genius is definitely mentally unstable and should not be allowed to continue as coach of the two-time World Cup champions.

For me, Diego Armando Maradona the manager is just a disastrous gamble and the players are basically suffering from "circus" that surrounds Maradona. Perhaps the time is now right for Argentina to have a top-class foreign coach who could bring back some organization and sanity back to the team. Out of respect for Maradona (and his fragile self-esteem), he should still travel with the squad to South Africa as a father figure and source of inspiration for the side.

Which reminds me of another famous personality who broke down in the heat of battle and was never the same again. Once an up-and-coming English manager, his infamous "Love it" rant and intense title tussles with Sir Alex Ferguson left Kevin Keegan psychologically and emotionally scarred. Keegan's managerial career will only be remembered for his times at Newcastle United.

Diego Maradona's tenure as Argentina coach must come to an end, either willingly or forcefully. If only to preserve his status as a hero in the eyes of Argentina. Hardly a person with emotions in check, his tirade is a sign of an impending nervous breakdown.