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New Maradona v new Pele top the Bernabeu bill
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-18 14:05
In June, he led Argentina to triumph in the World Youth Championship in the
Netherlands, scoring two penalties in his side's 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the
final, and like Maradona before him, ended the tournament with the trophies for
best player and top scorer.
Frank Rijkaard from
the Netherlands (L) talks to Argentinian player Lionel Messi before a
training session at the Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona November 17, 2005.
[Reuters] | He was rewarded with a call-up for the full national squad for a friendly in
August against Hungary, the same opponents that Maradona faced on his debut as a
16-year-old.
NIGHTMARE DEBUT
The dream turned into a nightmare when he was sent off less than a minute
after stepping on to the pitch as a substitute after he was adjudged to have
elbowed a defender who had pulled his shirt.
When the rest of the team returned to the dressing room after the 2-1 victory
they found Messi crying in the corner.
A stunning performance for Barcelona in a pre-season friendly against
Juventus at the Nou Camp soon dispelled the gloom and prompted the Italian
side's coach Fabio Capello to comment: "I've never seen a player of his age with
such quality."
Messi's season ground to a premature halt, however, when it became clear that
confusion over eligibility rules jeopardised his chances of playing in the
league.
Each Primera Liga club is allowed a maximum of three non-European Union
players in their squad. Barca had already filled their quota with Ronaldinho,
Eto'o and Rafael Marquez.
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