Now I've no great desire to go to Dubai. In my blinkered little view, not being able to have a drink (alcoholic that is, dear reader) when I want and where I want, doesn't exactly fill this correspondent with desire. I apologise in advance if I upset anyone; I'm sure it is a wonderful place, but that's just the way I am. Pathetic, I know. But tell me I am not going to Dubai, and I can live with that.
But some folk take a different view.
Take El Diego for example. He's not going to Dubai either. And he's furious about it.
I'm referring to what looked to have been a merry jaunt for the Argentina squad, and another warm up match, this time against an Emirates XI, prior to encamping over to South Africa. Bonding and all that.
"I have the bad news that the friendly is not on", a clearly perplexed Maradona advised the assembled hacks after the Haiti game. The blame was then placed; "for this, one needs (another's) word". The 'another' in question being Julio Grondona, the big cheese at the Argentinian FA. Not Diego's bestest mate.
"I gave (my word) to the players we were going to Dubai on the 26th, after playing at River", he went on, referring to an upcoming friendly against Canada at the River Plate stadium on May 24th.
"From there we were travelling to Pretoria with our gear, beef, sparring (juniors) and forty guests requested by Grondona" he added, referring to Argentina's World Cup base. And the Argentinian meat product of choice. And Grondona's pals.
Beef, yesterday"When Grondona asked me to take forty guests, I told him that no-one travels with the national team, but we were going to make this exception and then I find out that the match in Dubai is not on". He put his best puppy dog eyes on for that last bit as well.
"I want to talk to Julio (Grondona) because we need to play a game on the 29th and get to Pretoria after that game...I complied and now I expect him to comply".
And so encapsulates Diego. I have been following him for a long time now, and there is not a day goes by that I don't expect to find he has been fired or has resigned. There's time yet.
You expect political power struggles in all things South American, it's part of the fabric, but the continuing public feud between Maradona and his boss is real soap opera stuff.
So is the falling out with players. There will be some notable absentees from the Argentia squad that make South Africa, possibly not just Juan Román Riquelme and Esteban Cambiasso. Not due to injury, mind, but due to getting on the wrong side of Maradona.
Diego also plays the victim so well. It works brilliantly for Jose Mourinho, but is it just playing to the gallery in Diego's case?......and I am trying to get my head around the beard too. What's all that about? Is he hiding from something, or just trying to look downtrodden? Hmmmm.
El Diego and gallery"I'm going to have one of the hottest weekends" said Maradona, ahead of trimming the 108 players he has selected so far down to a more manageable level. "It's going to be tough because I am going to have a look, make calls to people I have in Europe, decide on players and start to create the list of 30". We wait with baited breath sir.
Comments welcome. Especially from butchers and beard interpreting psychologists.
4 comments:
er, Jethro - you not doing weekends like - bloggings not a 9 to 5 y'knaa?
Cool it Olivera.........I think you'll find that the hispanic attitude of "manyana, manyana" needs to be adopted if you want to immerese yourself in the full Albiceleste experience.
I was on a bloody siesta and forgot to set me alarm.......
Apparently... and you're going to love this... the beard has been grown 'on the advice of Diego's doctors' following the stitches he had put in his lip after his dog, erm, bit him on the mouth. So you see, it's a life-giving beard.
I'm not kidding. That's a direct quote from Monday's Olé. The fact that he went into hospital looking like Ron Wood and came out with a face smoother than baby's arse... well it's been noticed, but not by the press. I mean there's no way the dog attack was just an excuse for plastic surgery, right?
Cheers HEGS, if ok I will inlcude that over next few days.
Top drawer site you have there by the way, really good luck with it, will add links.....as soon as I work that out......
Don't be shy now!
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