yesterday 1.30pm
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At last year’s Copa América, Argentina won their first trophy in 28 years, Sunday in the final from 16:00 against France, they are fighting for their third world title.
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“I expect a tactical battle. Only a quick aim would open it. And the favourite? Pure 50 for 50,” he says for SPORT.sk Native Argentine and former representative of Slovakia, currently serving in Banská Bystrica, David Depetris (34).
Politics in Argentina divides, football unites
Are you experiencing the championship emotionally?
“I haven’t cried yet, even though there were strong emotions after the quarter-final with the Netherlands. But I’ll give myself a shout, like any fan.”
Haven’t the neighbors complained yet?
“After the penalties against Holland, one knocked, but he understood that it was an exceptional situation (laughs).”
Any news on what’s happening in Argentina these days?
“Something crazy. People are in the streets, celebrating even on the roofs of the buses. They feel great joy and hope. It’s hard to explain to Europeans.”
The country, like many others, is in an economic crisis. However, people use their last money to buy tickets to Qatar, the poorest buy at least the shirts. What makes football so valuable to Argentina?
“Just what you say. Political or economic issues divide Argentines, football unites them. With him they can forget their problems and make their team’s successes their own.”
Concerns about the end already in the group
Before the championship, did you expect Argentina to reach the final?
“There was hope, even if it was held back by the defeat in the first match against Saudi Arabia. In the summer I was at Wembley for the final (Argentina beat Italy 3:0). The game, the cohesion “I saw something above the standard that hasn’t been there for a long time. I saw Argentina as a strong candidate at least for the semi-finals.”
Were you afraid of ending up in the group after Saudi Arabia?
“Those who deny it are lying. After an hour of the second match with Mexico it was 0:0, Argentina could have gone home already then. I think there was a lot of nervousness throughout the country. Then the greatness of Leo Messi and since then the team has believed in each other.”
Messi threw a huge boulder off his back
How do you explain that Lionel Messi has absolute influence over Argentina’s game at the age of 35?
“Last year’s Copa América triumph helped him a lot, he finally led Argentina to the trophy. He threw a huge boulder off his back. He’s relaxed and gained confidence, so it’s hard to stop him. He’s brought others with him and they believed they could achieve something even greater.”
Messi will play his last match at the World Cup on Sunday. Longtime supporters Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi also bid farewell. Could this be Argentina’s last chance to score big for a long time?
“It is possible. Argentina produces a lot of good players, but Mascherano, Zabaleta, Higuaín and Aguero have also finished recently. It may take some time for a new generation to stabilize and for new leaders to emerge.”
Do you know any representatives personally?
“No, but when I was in Argentina in 2016-18 I was playing against 4-5. I have a photo with Messi from the airport. We met while we were both looking through magazines before our flight.”
Criticism of Scaloni? Diego said what many were thinking
Were you – like many Argentines – skeptical when Lionel Scaloni took charge of the national team?
“I was surprised that they gave a chance to a manager who had never led a club before. He also received a lot of criticism, while many managers at the time rejected Argentina. Hats off to how he withstood the pressure .’
Diego Maradona he saidwho can’t even check the traffic at the intersection. Was the divine Diego wrong?
“Triumph in the Copa América, 36 games without defeat and now the World Cup final… We can already say he was wrong. But then Diego only said what many didn’t have the courage to do. He always had what was on his tongue and what was in his heart.”
Will Messi step out of Maradona’s shadow?
In Argentina he is still considered the greatest player of all time. Will Messi surpass him if he leads the country to success on Sunday?
“Comparing Diego is difficult, you have to consider the circumstances. Many Argentine lives were lost in the war with the English over the Falklands. When Diego knocked England out with two goals in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup four years later, gave people at least partial satisfaction.Argentines suffered in his era, he brought them only joy and relief.
He also fought for Argentina with a swollen ankle bigger than his head. Also, he came from a poor background, people identified with him. However, many have changed their opinion of Leo in recent years, they have a much higher opinion of him than before.”
Depetris on Maradona for ŠPORT.sk after his death in November 2020: “Diego was like a family member to people. And most never met him. You would have to be Argentinian to understand that. We went through all the good and bad with him. When he was happy, we laughed. When he was grieving, we cried.
Many truly believed in his immortality. Diego may have been the first person to surprise people by being a mere mortal. There is even a church of Maradona in Argentina, now it is 61 years after Diego. There is no meeting where my father and I do not talk about Messi and Maradona. He recognizes Lionel, but according to him Diego was two steps higher.”
How would you rank your top five big?
“If you allow me, I will list them only in random order. Maradona, Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo. If I can add a sixth, then Juan Román Riquelme”.
And Pele?
“I have only included those that I have seen at least on video. Pelé, Johan Cruyff or Alfredo Di Stéfano have been outstanding, but I have seen little of their game.”
A public holiday can last for a week
Back to reality. What will be the Argentina-France final?
“I expect a tactical battle. Only a quick goal would open it. And the favourite? Pure 50 for 50.”
What will happen in Argentina if the team around Messi wins the trophy?
“I can imagine it and at the same time I don’t know (laughs). Monday would definitely be a public holiday, maybe even a whole week. The nation needs a boost. The French celebrated four years ago, so I hope now they will leave the place to Argentina”.
What if it doesn’t work? Will the players be heroes to progress to the final or will they catch the critics?
“After losing the final at the 2014 World Cup (against Germany), there was criticism. Now I see the public’s appreciation for the players’ approach. If they leave everything in the final, I wouldn’t be afraid.”
Slovakia would not be included in Qatar
Many Argentine stars come from humble backgrounds, often not even having the money for food. Is this your case too?
“Fortunately, my parents had jobs and gave us what we needed. Mom was a radio and TV host, father produced and sold drinking water, he also had a dry cleaners. We were the middle class, which unfortunately is already disappearing in Argentina, leaving only the rich and the poor”.
You have Italian roots. How do you explain that the Italians, reigning European champions, have not qualified for the last two World Cups?
“I can imagine the sadness and chaos, they live on football just like the Argentines. Sometimes relaxation comes after success. I don’t know if this is the case with the Italians, I haven’t followed it in detail. But perhaps Argentina has made a great qualification for the 2002 World Cup, went there with great confidence and then didn’t even get out of the group.”
You represented Slovakia, you live here. How would he fare at the World Cup in Qatar, would he advance from the group?
“It certainly doesn’t count. After all, they progressed from the group at the 2010 World Cup and played a more than balanced match against the Netherlands in the round of 16. I wish Slovakia success.”
