Argentina’s victory over Mexico helped keep their World Cup ambitions alive thanks to a moment of characteristic magic from Lionel Messi.
Following the shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, Messi and Argentina knew defeat would kill their ambitions of making it to the round of 16 after just two games.
Mexico was frustrating Messi in an attritional match, especially in the first half, which was rife with fouls and pauses that prevented Argentina from gaining any momentum.
After 64 minutes, Messi changed everything when he controlled a pass with his left foot and drilled a precise finish past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Huge crowds of Argentina fans in the 88,966-person crowd erupted in joy and relief as their World Cup campaign kicked off.
Three minutes before full time, Enzo Fernandez added a beautiful second goal by curling a shot into the top corner, but Messi’s goal was the game-changer.
Argentina’svast support gathered in their thousands at Qatar’s Energy City adjacent to the vast Lusail Stadium with only one man on their minds as they faced World Cup jeopardy.
Lionel Messi has carried the hopes of this football-mad nation for most of his career but there was an added layer of tension as Argentina confronted old rivals Mexico in an ear-splitting atmosphere on the stage that will host the final.
Argentina knew defeat would effectively end their World Cup after two games following the embarrassment of the loss to Saudi Arabia in the opener. Messi knew this would mean the major honour that has eluded his grasp in a glittering career would be forever out of reach.
Messi was, once again, shouldering the burden of Argentina’s expectations – and once again he delivered by pulling out a piece of trademark magic when they needed it most to change the course of an attritional game, and perhaps even change the course of his team’s World Cup in the process.
The clock showed 64 minutes. Each passing second turned up the pressure valve on Argentina and, in turn, on Messi. He knows any Argentina failure on this stage, justified or not, can be painted as Messi’s failure.
He had been on the margins but took centre stage to devastating effect as Mexico fell victim to the magical left foot that has broken the hearts of so many opponents.
One touch delicately killed the pass from Angel di Maria. The second touch arrowed a low finish into the bottom corner past the outstretched left arm of Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Amid an explosion of noise from Argentina’s fans, Messi ran towards them with arms outstretched in that familiar celebratory pose. He looked highly emotional with the relief and release, engulfed by team-mates who knew the man they rely on most had delivered again.
When the crowd of players dispersed, Messi stood in front of the light blue and white-clad supporters pumping his arms in exultation. He knew what it meant to them. They knew what it meant to him. Mutual ecstasy.
The greatest players deliver when it matters so it should be no surprise Messi produced again.
Until that moment, it had not been an easy night for Messi against Mexico, who clearly relished the idea of putting the skids under an Argentina side heavily tipped to lift the World Cup in this same Lusail Stadium on 18 December.
Messi had been marginalised by Mexico. He could not exert any influence in a first-half morass of stoppages and infringements, the 35-year-old often at walking pace looking for a patch of space where he could escape close Mexican attentions.
It was when a football match eventually broke out in the second half that Messi flourished with the characteristic darting runs, the quick passes and, of course, the stroke of genius that broke the deadlock.
Argentina relaxed thanks to Messi, this team’s security blanket, and Enzo Fernandez added a glorious second with a curling right-foot shot after 87 minutes.
It sent their fans in the 88,966 attendance, the highest at the World Cup since the 1994 final in Pasadena, home happy – well at least those who did go home because many stayed on in one stand for almost an hour after the final whistle paying homage to their heroes, and one hero in particular.
Messi had brought life to Argentina’s World Cup. They still need victory against Poland, with their own national icon in striker Robert Lewandowski, to be certain of going through but real belief has surged through their ranks thanks to one stroke of Messi’s left foot.
He knew just what was riding on this game.
“We can’t give up now,” said Messi. “We have all the finals to play – we can’t make mistakes. We knew we had to win, that another World Cup was starting for us, and we knew how to do it.”
Messi certainly knew how to do it.
He knows this will be his last World Cup, the one elite stage on which he has yet to collect the prize. Messi suffered the heartbreak of defeat by Germany in Rio’s Maracana in the 2014 final. This was the closest he has come to laying hands on the World Cup.
Messi’s career has brought four Champions Leagues, the Ballon d’Or seven times and 10 La Liga titles at Barcelona. His time at Paris St-Germain is still regarded as something of a footnote but even there he has won a Ligue 1 crown.
The World Cup is the missing link and this is Messi’s last chance to claim it.
Argentina did not entirely convince, have yet to show the form that has them ranked number three in the world, and the prospect of a painful exit still remains when they face dangerous opponents in Poland.
For now, however, Argentina’s World Cup show is back on the road because where there is Lionel Messi, there is hope.
DOHA, Qatar — Lionel Messi is emotionally and physically ready to face Mexico in Argentina’s key Group C World Cup match on Saturday, according to manager Lionel Scaloni.
Argentina fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and need a victory against Mexico to keep their World Cup campaign on track. Scaloni said Messi, 35, trained with the rest of the team on Thursday and is ready for the challenge on Saturday.
“He’s feeling well but more than ever we need everyone,” Scaloni said. “We have no questions over [Messi’s] physical level, and emotionally he’s feeling well so no problems there.”
He added: “Leo is doing well, as our his other teammates. We know tomorrow we have an important match and most young players know that everything will be left on the pitch. Everything depends on us — that’s why we need to give everything on the pitch.”
Scaloni said he will not rip up his Argentina blueprint after the shock defeat. “You need to rise up after a blow like that, bounce back together and think of the upcoming match — that’s all you can do,” he said. “For a long time everything was perfect for us — all joy — but in difficult moments we need everyone’s support.
“This group is ready to rise and bounce back, we have no questions over that in that regard of how we play the game. With all the responsibility — we know there’s a whole country behind us — but everyone on the pitch will break our backs until the last second we are on the pitch so we can reverse the opening match.”
Striker Lautaro Martinez said the opening defeat was a “hard blow” but the team is ready to bounce back. “Tomorrow’s match will be like a final as we need to win,” Martinez said.
“It’ll be an important match for our future, not only in terms of pecking order but in terms of what we will manage to do on the pitch. We’ve proven that we have the players and the quality. We are eager and ready and eager to square up against the next opponent.”
Martinez and Scaloni spoke to the press on the two-year anniversary of Diego Maradona’s death and Argentina are focused on delivering a performance fit to honour the 1986 World Cup winner.
“It’s a very sad day for everyone, really,” Scaloni said. “Tomorrow we will hope to bring some joy for Maradona if he’s looking at us from the sky.
“That’s the most important thing for us. Every time we’re reminded of him, it’s unbelievable that he’s not here with us, so it’s a sad day for us. Hopefully tomorrow will be a happy day for all of us.”
Following the 2-1 victory over Argentina in their 2022 FIFA World Cup opening game, Saudi Arabia’s King, Salim bin Abdulaziz has directed tomorrow be made a holiday.
Saudi Arabia made a bold statement in Group C earlier on Tuesday, coming from behind to beat the South Americans.
Saudi Arabia, who are ranked 51st in the FIFA ranking, could have been done and dusted in the first half as Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Argentina had three goals ruled out for offside.
However, the Green Falcons flipped the game on its head in a stunning 10-minute period after recess, with Saleh Al-Shehri levelling with a low effort and Salem Al Dawsari firing them ahead to spark pandemonium in the stands.
The result also saw Saudi Arabia end Lionel Scaloni’s side’s 36-game unbeaten streak across all competition.
Following the end of the game, Salim bin Abdulaziz, who is the King of Saudi Arabia, ordered Wednesday, November 23, be made a holiday for all employees and students as they enjoy the victory.
Argentina head to their first World Cup since Diego Maradona’s death but the Albiceleste great will be there in spirit.
That was the message from Maradona’s former agent Guillermo Coppola at the opening of CONMEBOL’s ‘Tree of Dreams’ in Doha to celebrate South America’s rich football heritage.
Lionel Scaloni’s side are among the pre-tournament favourites in Qatarahead of Tuesday’s Group C opener against Saudi Arabia, searching for a first World Cup crown since a Maradona-inspired triumph in 1986.
There has not been a South American winner of FIFA’s top tournament since Brazil in 2002, but Coppola hopes that will change for Argentina in their first outing since Maradona passed in November 2020.
“This is going to be the first World Cup that [Maradona] is not physically with us,” said the 74-year-old. “But Diego will always be with us.
“The most precious good for Diego was the football. It wasn’t life, which is the most precious good that human beings have.
“It wasn’t freedom – to be able to decide and to do – which is the second one, the freedom for him was the ball.
“Where a ball rolls there is Diego, do not forget this, when you see a ball rolling say, there is Diego.”
2.5% of all fouls committed in World Cups between 1982 and 1990 were on Diego Maradona@oilysailor pays tribute to a player who took the hits but kept on producing magical moments ⬇️https://t.co/UWhXJ4Vor7
Argentina ended a 28-year wait for major silverware by beating Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final.
That makes this the first World Cup they enter as champions of South America since USA 94 and former Argentina captain Javier Zanetti expects his country to come out fighting as a unified group.
Speaking alongside World Cup winners Oscar Ruggeri and Mario Alberto Kempes, Zanetti added: “It means a lot to have a united, consolidated, solid group.
“I trust that Argentina is a group that came to Qatar knowing well what they want.”
While Zanetti, now Inter vice-president, acknowledged the ill-timing of the November World Cup, he has little doubt Argentina will hit the ground running.
“We cannot know about the physical condition because this World Cup is atypical,” the 49-year-old continued.
“It is being played in November and many consecutive games were played recently, so there is a lot of fatigue.
“But in general, I trust that players and national teams will arrive in good condition.”
Lionel Messi begins his World Cup campaign on Tuesday against Saudi Arabia, whose head coach is looking forward to the challenge.
Herve Renard’s men face Argentina in their Group C opener and the experienced French coach insists his team are not just in Qatar to make up the numbers.
All six of Messi’s goals at previous World Cupshave been scored in the group stages, while he has netted 12 times in 19 games for Paris Saint-Germain this season.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Renard said: “Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Messi are football legends and thanks to them, football is different. It’s an honour to be here and play against them.
“When there’s a fight you have to be one hundred per cent motivated to beat the best. That’s the beauty of sport. In sport, there can always be surprises.
“We have to be ready. Above all, we have to be very good in all three games, not only against Argentina. All three are equally important.”
10 – Lionel Messi’s fewest games in a Top 5 European Leagues campaign to deliver 10 assists :
Saudi Arabia will come up against Mexico and Poland after taking on the Albiceleste in what appears an incredibly challenging task for Renard’s men in Group C.
While conceding it is unlikely Saudi Arabia will qualify, Renard insisted his team – ranked 51st in the FIFA rankings, one place below hosts Qatar – will “fight against the forecasts”.
“We love it when they forget about us from the outside,” he said. “We like this, that they consider us the smallest team. It doesn’t matter to us. It’s justified if we take into account the FIFA ranking.
“I don’t think we’ll go to the next round but we’re here to fight against the forecasts. In the World Cup, there are surprises and that is the mentality we have.”
Argentina head to their first World Cupsince Diego Maradona’s death but the Albiceleste great will be there in spirit.
That was the message from Maradona’s former agent Guillermo Coppola at the opening of CONMEBOL’s ‘Tree of Dreams’ in Doha to celebrate South America’s rich football heritage.
Lionel Scaloni’s side are among the pre-tournament favourites in Qatar ahead of Tuesday’s Group C opener against Saudi Arabia, searching for a first World Cup crown since a Maradona-inspired triumph in 1986.
There has not been a South American winner of FIFA’s top tournament since Brazil in 2002, but Coppola hopes that will change for Argentina in their first outing since Maradona passed in November 2020.
“This is going to be the first World Cup that [Maradona] is not physically with us,” said the 74-year-old. “But Diego will always be with us.
“The most precious good for Diego was the football. It wasn’t life, which is the most precious good that human beings have.
“It wasn’t freedom – to be able to decide and to do – which is the second one, the freedom for him was the ball.
2.5% of all fouls committed in World Cups between 1982 and 1990 were on Diego Maradona@oilysailor pays tribute to a player who took the hits but kept on producing magical moments ⬇️https://t.co/UWhXJ4Vor7
“Where a ball rolls there is Diego, do not forget this, when you see a ball rolling say, there is Diego.”
Argentina ended a 28-year wait for major silverware by beating Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final.
That makes this the first World Cup they enter as champions of South America since USA 94 and former Argentina captain Javier Zanetti expects his country to come out fighting as a unified group.
Speaking alongside World Cup winners Oscar Ruggeri and Mario Alberto Kempes, Zanetti added: “It means a lot to have a united, consolidated, solid group.
“I trust that Argentina is a group that came to Qatar knowing well what they want.”
While Zanetti, now Inter vice-president, acknowledged the ill-timing of the November World Cup, he has little doubt Argentina will hit the ground running.
“We cannot know about the physical condition because this World Cup is atypical,” the 49-year-old continued.
“It is being played in November and many consecutive games were played recently, so there is a lot of fatigue.
“But in general, I trust that players and national teams will arrive in good condition.”
Lionel Messi confirmed he is in a great place physically and mentally on the eve of his final World Cup.
The Argentina captain cut a remarkably relaxed figure ahead of Tuesday’s game against Saudi Arabia in Doha, repeatedly stressing how much he is enjoying his football as his glittering career enters its final chapters.
Messi caused alarm over the weekend by failing to show for the section of training open to the media, but he was quick to rule out any injury concerns.
He said: “I am feeling very well physically, I’m in good condition. I come here in really good form, both personally and physically. I have no issues whatsoever.
“There were rumours about missing part of training, but no, it was just a precaution, nothing out of the ordinary.”
#Qatar2022 Lionel Messi 🎙️: “La edad te hace ver las cosas de otra manera y darle importancia a los pequeños detalles que antes quizá no veía. Hoy me fijo más en todo, disfrutar está por encima de todo”.
Messi accepts this will be his last realistic shot at World Cup glory, but Argentina’s Copa America win last year has lifted an element of pressure and the 35-year-old is determined to depart the global international stage with a smile.
He added: “I don’t know if it’s the best moment in my career but I feel really well and perhaps a bit more mature, always trying to give my best and enjoying everything.
“I think I’m enjoying it much more now. Before I didn’t think about that, I just wanted to play. Now I am trying to enjoy it, but when you play every three days it’s sometimes tough.
“Age makes you see things differently, and maybe give more importance to small details. Perhaps before I didn’t do that. Now I try to focus on the details and enjoying it is more important than everything else.”
The unusual timing of this World Cup has meant a different build-up, but Messi says the pre-tournament nerves remain the same.
“It is different, we usually play the World Cup at the end of the season and we normally have a whole month to prepare,” he said.
“Now it’s completely different. We’ve had little time to prepare, but we knew this was the situation. It’s always special.
“We expect a tough game, we are aware of this because it’s the beginning of the World Cup. We will have to deal with the nerves the best way we can.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni also pinpointed his side’s 2021 Copa triumph in Brazil – their first major title in 28 years – as a key factor in why they have arrived in Qatar with a quiet confidence.
He said: “The reality is we now play in a much more calm way, we don’t have that weight on our shoulders.
“We are always calm when we go on the pitch and like to feel that freedom. And then it comes down to details. Emotionally we are far more assured and that allows us to play our football.
“But a nation like Argentina always has pressure and if the results are not the best it’s obvious that we have criticism.
“We knew about the journey we had to take and we need to keep doing that. We think that’s the best way to do it. We respect the other teams, but we are here to be competitive.”
Roberto Mancini has tipped Argentina to win their third World Cup as Lionel Messi and team-mates chase glory in Qatar.
Mancini’s Italy side will not be involved after a shock 1-0 play-off defeat to North Macedonia in March.
Italy’s absence from Qatar comes despite them being the reigning European champions, having beaten England on penalties in the Euro 2020 final.
That triumph subsequently saw them face off against Argentina in the UEFA/CONMEBOL Finalissima at Wembley in June, after Lionel Scaloni’s men won the Copa America.
Argentina comfortably beat Italy 3-0, and Mancini says that performance plays a part in him ranking them as favourites for the World Cup.
“There are many strong teams,” Mancini told reporters. “If I had to choose one, I’d go for Argentina.
“They really impressed when we played each other.”
Italy have won their last three matches as they look to get over World Cup disappointment, most recently seeing off Albania in a 3-1 friendly victory on Wednesday. They face another game against Austria on Sunday.
Mancini is still upset about the failure to reach Qatar, but he has been pleased with his team’s reaction, saying: “We immediately showed a desire to fight back, winning a Nations League group that was by no means easy ahead of Germany, Hungary and England.
“Unfortunately, we’ll have to keep this suffering until mid-December when the tournament is over. Next time, we need to be more precise.”
Cristiano Ronaldodreams of facing the “magic” Lionel Messiin the World Cup final as two footballing greats head into the twilight of their careers.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo will hope to help Portugal escape Group H, where they face Ghana next Thursday before clashes against Uruguay and South Korea.
Messi, 35, heads to Qatar with one of the pre-tournament favourites, Argentina, who start Group C against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with meetings against Mexico and Poland to follow.
Having battled for centre stage against former Barcelona star Messi for numerous years, ex-Real Madrid forward Ronaldo admitted he would love to face his old foe in the World Cup showpiece on December 18.
“It’s too good, too good of a dream,” Ronaldo told Piers Morgan on TalkTV in his wide-ranging interview, in which he criticised Manchester United, senior figures at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag and Ralf Rangnick.
Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: The Final World Cup Face/Off ⚔️
Two of the greatest players of this generation, and neither one has won the FIFA World Cup.
We look ahead to what will surely be their final battle at the World Cup.
The pair share 12 Ballon d’Or titles between them, with Messi’s record-breaking seven two more than Ronaldo’s haul, surmising a dominant period in elite football between the evergreen duo.
Messi now plays his club football with Paris Saint-Germain, while Ronaldo’s time at United appears to be heading to an abrupt end amid the furore of his scathing interview on his current employers.
The Portugal international, despite the revered battles between the pair throughout their respective careers, assured he has a “great relationship” with Messi, who he would like to sit down for a meal with.
“He is an amazing player, he is magic. As a person, he is top. We shared the stage for 16 years, imagine,” he added.
“I have a great relationship with him. I’m not a friend of him in terms of the guy who is at your house, speaking on the phone, no, but he is like a team-mate.
“He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speaks about me. Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they’re both from Argentina.
“What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football.”
Blaugrana legend Messi has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer or a fairytale reunion with Barca, who he left amid well-documented financial difficulties at Camp Nou in August 2021.
The future of Ronaldo appears unlikely to remain with United, though he suggested he would like to call an end to his playing career aged 40.
“I want to play two years more, three years more. So two or three years maximum,” he continued.
“I want to finish at 40. I think 40, will be a good age… But I don’t know, I don’t know the future.
“Sometimes you plan one thing for your life and as have said many times, life is dynamic. You never know what’s going to happen.”
New River Plate head coach Martin Demichelis is in “no doubt” that Argentina will make it to the World Cup final.
Argentina were last crowned world champions when Diego Maradona inspired the 1986 triumph in Mexico, and have since lost in the final at the tournaments in 1990 and 2014.
Demichelis made 51 appearances for his country between 2005 and 2016, appearing at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in South Africa and Brazil respectively.
The 41-year-old was unveiled as River Plate’s new boss on Wednesday and is confident La Albiceleste will make it to the final of Qatar 2022 on December 18.
“We are days away from the start of the World Cup, so I want to wish [Lionel] Scaloni a successful World Cup, to all the players, to the entire squad,” the former Manchester City and Bayern Munich defender said.
“A very special mention for the only Argentine player who also ended up joining the squad and who is ours: Franco [Armani], whom we need to support 100 per cent. My congratulations to him.
“I have no doubt that Argentinawill play all seven games. I believe that by arriving only seven days before the World Cup, when normally a team is always working for three, four or five weeks, Argentina have the advantage that comes with a very solid base, with good energy, with a very strong emotional determination.
“I have no doubt that Argentina will play all seven games. I wish them all the best.”
Neymarrevealed he and Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Lionel Messi joke about a potential World Cup final between Brazil and Argentina in Qatar.
Neymar and Messi, alongside Kylian Mbappe, form a fearsome front three for PSG, one that has fired them to a five-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League knockout stages.
But that alliance will be temporarily halted until PSG’s next game on December 28, as the three superstars bid to win the World Cup for their respective countries.
While he was highly complimentary of Messiand Mbappe, Neymar jokingly hinted that he fancies his Brazil side’s chances in a potential match-up with Messi’s Argentina.
“We don’t discuss it very much,” Neymar told The Telegraph. “But sometimes we joke about crossing paths with each other in the final.
“I tell him [Messi] that I’ll be champion and win against him and we have a good laugh.
“Playing with him and Kylian is a huge pleasure. They’re two greats, with Messi long considered the best in the world.
“Kylian is a young player who’s been growing and showing his potential and still has a lot to grow. It’s always great to play alongside the greats, I’ve always preferred that because the chances of winning are higher.”
Neymar feels Brazil are one of the favourites, but also highlighted a number of other teams he believes are capable of making the final on December 18.
“The World Cup is full of surprises,” he explained. “You get teams that unexpectedly get very far even in the competition even if many don’t believe in them.
“But I believe the favourites are Argentina, Germany, Spain and France. I think those four along with Brazil are fully capable of reaching the final.”
At the age of 30, the Qatar World Cup could be Neymar’s last attempt at glory with Brazil, having fallen short in his two previous experiences at international football’s premier tournament.
One of those was particularly painful, when Neymar suffered a back injury in a victorious quarter-final meeting with Colombia at Brazil’s home tournament in 2014.
Neymar was ruled out of the semi-final with Germany, a match Brazil went on to lose by a humiliating 7-1 scoreline.
But the former Barcelona forward says his career would not feel incomplete if he were to never win the World Cup, saying: “No, in my career I’ve achieved things beyond my imagination.
“So, if it ended today, I would still be the happiest person in the world.”
The number 10 jersey that Neymar dons for Brazil is steeped in history, having been worn by Selecao legends like Pele, Ronaldinho and Zico.
Neymar does not experience the pressure that could come with following those Brazilian idols, declaring: “I don’t feel under pressure, quite the opposite.
“I’m happy to be able to wear the number 10 on the Brazilian team and make history. It’s a great pride and honour to be part of the group of players that wore it and I only feel happiness about it.”
Lionel Messi is unsure how much longer he will continue playing, but is enjoying his football following a tough period of adaptation at Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi endured a difficult first season after swapping Barcelona for PSG last August, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances – his lowest scoring campaign since 2005-06, when he was 18 years old.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has looked rejuvenated this season, though, already hitting the net 12 times as well as laying on 14 assists.
PSG team-mate Neymar and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland are the only players in Europe’s top five leagues to have matched his total of 26 goal involvements this term.
However, speaking to Movistar ahead of Argentina’s World Cup campaign, the 35-year-old hinted the end of his playing career may not be too far away, though he expects to stay in football when he does retire.
“I love playing and I enjoy it, the only thing I’ve done all my life is play football and I’m sure it [a future role] will be related, although I don’t know what,” Messi said.
“I don’t think I’ll play much more. I don’t know, so many things happen. It was a dream that I always had as a child, to be able to play for Argentina.
“But today it depends on many things. I have my family, three children, I just had a very big change in my life that cost me and my whole family a lot. Today I got over it, and we feel spectacular.”
Asked whether he feels more comfortable on the pitch after spending a year bedding in at the Parc des Princes, Messi said: “That’s true, I am enjoying it much more, I am discovering the city and I think it’s beautiful.
“The first year was a huge change for me, everything went wrong because it all came out of the blue and it was not a decision I was aiming for, leaving Barcelona was sudden.
“After this long process and tough moments, today I’m happy to be living where I live, and me and my family are enjoying Paris.”
Recalling his first season in Ligue 1, Messi said: “It was hard, we had been in the same place all our lives. I had never moved and I didn’t know how it would be, plus it was not a decision we made.
“It came all of a sudden. We had to leave Barcelona overnight and found ourselves where everything was new.
“We had our lives in Barcelona with friends, places and people, and you have to get to know other places, with another language, other football, other weather.
“I suffered a lot, it was hard. But today I am enjoying everything, including football.”
Lionel Messi returned to training ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s final Ligue 1 fixture before the World Cup, as Christophe Galtier insisted he will not rest players against Auxerre on Sunday.
Messi missed PSG’s 2-1 win at Lorient as a precautionary measure after suffering from inflammation in his Achilles tendon last week, though Galtier maintained the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was likely to return before the tournament in Qatar.
Just 11 days before Argentina begin their Group C campaign against Saudi Arabia, Messi has handed the Albiceleste a boost by joining France’s Presnel Kimpembe in returning to PSG training.
While Galtier reiterated his desire to treat the concerns of his players seriously ahead of the World Cup, he is not planning to use Sunday’s match as an opportunity to make changes.
“All the players are available except Fabian Ruiz,” Galtier said on Friday. “No player came to tell me that he did not want to play or that he was afraid of making this last match.
“My door is always open. They know they can come and talk all the time. I wouldn’t be surprised if a player came to see me and told me that he was apprehensive about the last game.
“I have an obligation to put up a very competitive team against Auxerre. If there is strong restraint, I will be attentive to the comments of my players.”
Senegal and Bayern Munich attacker Sadio Mane became the latest big name to suffer an injury scare on the eve of the tournament this week, but Galtier is confident in his medical team’s ability to manage players’ fitness levels.
“When I see an injured player like Sadio Mane, I’m always sad for him,” Galtier added. “The relationship is very direct between my medical staff and the medical staff of the national teams.
“All the doctors of the teams are informed of the state of our players. Our selected players will be operational for Sunday’s match. The most important thing is to train well.
“These players who are going to the World Cup are very high-level athletes and competitors. There may be this fear, but it is more around the environment of the players than from themselves.”
Erik ten Hag says Alejandro Garnacho’s potential inclusion in Argentina’s Qatar 2022 World Cup squad would not be “the right step” for the Manchester United teenager.
La Albiceleste are set to announce their 26-man party for this month’s tournament next Monday, where the reigning Copa America champions are considered among the frontrunners.
With Lionel Messi set to likely compete in his final World Cup, Lionel Scaloni’s side will not be short of motivation, and there have been suggestions Garnacho could be a surprise name in the squad.
But Ten Hag is not sure it would be the best thing for the winger’s development.
“It’s difficult to say,” he stated. “I don’t know all the available Argentina players, what is available for them from 26. It’s a big step to go to a World Cup, where the best players in the world come together.
“It’s a big step. I don’t know if that’s the right step for him. I think he has to keep his head clean, stay calm, work hard and develop. I think [he has to] go from game to game.”
Garnacho was a live-wire performer for United as they progressed to the last 16 of the EFL Cup on Thursday with a 4-2 win over Aston Villa, providing two assists after coming off the bench.
The teenager has lacked regular minutes this term, though he has been a frequent performer in Europe, with four Europa League appearances and a goal to his name.
EA Sports has used FIFA 23 to predict the outcome of the 2022 World Cup.
Argentina has been projected to beat Brazil in an all-South American final.
Lionel Messi is also forecasted to win the Golden Boot with a return of seven goals in eight matches.
Interestingly, EA Sports has correctly picked the winners from each of the last three World Cup finals and are looking to make it four on the spin – while they also predicted the outcome for the team of the tournament.
Victors Argentina unsurprisingly dominate, with Emiliano Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Leandro Paredes, and Rodrigo de Paul joining Messi in the side for this year’s competition, according to the video game.
Defeated finalists Brazil have Marquinhos, Vinicius Junior and Richarlison in the XI, with the team completed by France duo Kylian Mbappe and Raphael Varane, as well as Portugal’s Joao Cancelo.
The tournament gets underway on November 20 and Brazil and reigning Copa America champions Argentina will have high hopes, as they look to end a 20-year dominant streak by European nations.
Flamengo marched unbeaten to a third Copa Libertadores title after topping Athletico-PR 1-0 in the all-Brazilian final on Saturday.
Gabriel Barbosa starred in the final yet again by producing the only goal in a half-full Metropolitano Stadium in Ecuador.
Flamengo also won in 1981 and 2019, the latter with two goals by Barbosa in the 2-1 final victory against Argentina’s River Plate.
Barbosa, considered to have a slim chance of playing for Brazil in the World Cup, also netted the Rio de Janeiro club’s only goal in the final last year in the loss to Brazilian rival Palmeiras.
Barbosa’s latest goal was hatched in the 43rd minute when Athletico defender Pedro Henrique was booked for a second time after a harsh tackle. The incident gave more room for Flamengo to attack, and the goal came in the last seconds of the first half.
Everton Ribeiro made a low cross from the right and Barbosa just had to push the ball into an empty net.
En route to the final, Flamengo knocked out Colombia’s Tolima, Brazil’s Corinthians and Argentina‘s Velez Sarsfield, winning all of its matches.
Flamengo striker Pedro, who is expected to be in Brazil’s World Cup squad, was the Copa’s leading goal-scorer with 12 in 13 matches.
Flamengo, with former Chelsea and Brazil centre-back David Luiz anchoring their defence, enjoyed 73% of possession and created 15 chances, although only four on target, as they won South America’s equivalent of Europe’s Champions League.
Athletico, chasing their first Copa Libertadores title, couldn’t deliver a perfect sendoff for coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. The former World Cup-winning manager said in the buildup he’s stepping down at age 73. He previously won the Copa with boyhood club Gremio in 1995 and with Palmeiras in 1999.
Local authorities in Ecuador struggled to sell all 60,000 tickets for the final. Guayaquil is about 6,000 kilometres (4,000 miles) from Rio and Curitiba.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has confirmed Qatar 2022 will be his last World Cup.
The mercurial Paris Saint-Germain forward will attempt to lift the trophy for the first time after helping his country win the Copa America last year.
Messi, 35, says he will not play in another World Cup following the showpiece in Qatar, which starts on November 20.
He told Star+: “This is my last World Cup, surely, yes.”
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner does not believe Argentina go into the tournament as the favourites to be crowned champions.
He added: “I don’t know if we are the great favourites, but Argentina itself is always a candidate because of our history, because of what it means, and more so how we qualified.
“But we are not the top favourites. I think there are other teams that are above us today, but we are there very close.
“We’re in a good moment because of how things turned out and with a very strong group. Afterwards, in a World Cup anything can happen, it’s very difficult. The favourites are not always the ones who end up winning.
“I see similar things from the group with the one from 2014. We can’t wait to get together.”
Messi feels sharp and raring to go for his last appearance on the biggest stage.
He said: “I feel good physically, I was able to do a very good pre-season this year that I hadn’t been able to do the previous year, because of how [the move to PSG] happened. I started playing late, with the season already started, without rhythm.
“Then I went to the national team, when I came back I had an injury in the middle [of the season]… This year’s pre-season was essential to start in a different way. And how I got to this year too, with a different head, with a different mentality and with great enthusiasm.”
Messi made his World Cup debut in Germany back in 2006 and has also featured in the past three editions of the tournament.
Argentina will start their quest to be crowned champions with a Group C clash against Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on November 22 before facing Mexico and Poland.
During the match between Gimnasia and Boca Juniors in Argentina,police used tear gas on spectators outside the stadium, resulting in at least one death.
On Thursday, police attempted to prevent supporters from entering the already crowded stadium by firing rubber bullets at them.
The game was called off after nine minutes, with fans spilling onto the pitch trying to escape the turmoil.
Buenos Aires security minister Sergio Berni confirmed there was one death and that they “died of cardiac arrest”.
Authorities at San Martin hospital in La Plata, the city where Gimnasia is based, also confirmed the death, of a 57-year-old man because of cardiac arrest as he was being transferred from the stadium to the hospital.
Berni said an investigation would be opened, with the possible over-selling of tickets in one area being looked at.
Fans were squeezing through fencing to try to get onto the pitch of the Juan Carmelo Zerillo stadium in La Plata.
Referee Hernan Mastrangelo said: “It affected all of us on the field.
“The air became unbreathable. The situation got out of control and there were no security guarantees.”
The events in Argentina took place in the wake of the recent tragedy in Indonesia when at least 131 people died.
The disaster in Indonesia happened when police fired tear gas at fans who invaded the pitch after a game and hundreds tried to flee through the exits, which caused a deadly stampede.
Players cover their faces to stop being affected by tear gasFans affected by tear gas jumped the fence into the field of playFans got through fencing to get onto the Carmelo Zerillo stadium in La PlataFans recovered from the effects of tear gas on the pitch
Argentina were never in any danger during their 3-0 friendly win against Jamaica on Tuesday, played at a neutral site in the United States’ Red Bull Arena.
Alvarez opened the scoring in the 13th minute thanks to some terrific work from Lautaro Martinez, who was able to snake his way into the box, beating multiple defenders to get to the touchline and drag one back along the edge of the six-yard box for a simple tap-in.
Argentina continued to create half-chances throughout the remainder of the first half and it was more of the same to begin the second 45, with Martinez going close after a slick one-touch pass from Alexis Mac Allister gave him some space inside the box, but he pushed his shot wide of the far-post.
Lionel Messi was subbed on in the 56th minute and just 10 minutes later he had his first chance after a one-two on the edge of the area allowed him to break into the left-hand side of the box, but his shot from a sharp angle was easily thwarted at the near post.
But fans in attendance would get what they came for in the 87th minute, when Messi picked up a deflected pass just outside the penalty area and fired his left-foot shot hard and low across his body into the bottom-right corner.
Just two minutes later Argentina were awarded a free-kick in the same spot and Messi again converted, this time around the wall into the bottom-left corner.
What does it mean? Argentina now two games away from history
With this result, Argentina are now unbeaten in their past 35 games dating back to their loss in the 2019 Copa America semi-final against Brazil.
Italy holds the record at 37 games without a loss – which they set just last year. Argentina’s next two games will be in the World Cup against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, and if they make it through unscathed, they will play Poland for the new record.
Messi the supersub
Despite only playing 35 minutes, Messi led all players with five shots, four shots on target and three successful dribbles.
Only Alvarez (three) created more chances than Messi’s two, and he scored two goals for his second consecutive international fixture after also netting a double against Honduras this past weekend.
Reid struggles with Argentinian physicality
Bobby Reid had a difficult outing down the left-hand side, being credited with only two duels won from 11 tries – the lowest percentage on the pitch. He also had a passing accuracy of 77 per cent, which was one of the lowest marks from either side, while attempting no shots and creating no chances.
What’s next?
Argentina will take their unbeaten streak into the World Cup, where they will play Saudi Arabia first up. Jamaica do not have any fixtures scheduled until March’s CONCACAF Nations League.
Argentinawere too good in their dominant 3-0 friendly win against Honduras on Friday, with two goals and an assist from Lionel Messi in a starring performance.
Messi set up a goal and finished a penalty in an excellent first half, before capping off the outing with a long-range chip to capitalise on a defensive mistake.
Julian Alvarez and Giovani Lo Celso also manufactured openings as Argentina racked up 17 shots to Honduras’ two, but ultimately this would be the Messi show.
Argentina opened the scoring in the 16th minute, when Messi delivered a spectacular ball from the centre of the park to find Papu Gomez on his run into the box from the left wing, giving him the chance to roll a simple squaring pass to Lautaro Martinez in the six-yard box for a tap-in.
Messi’s creativity was on full display again to create the second goal, with an almost identical pass finding Lo Celso breaking into the box from the left wing, before the desperate Honduran defence pulled him down for a penalty.
Messistepped up to the spot himself and made no mistake, calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and rolling the ball into the bottom-right corner.
Argentina took their foot off the pedal in the second half, but when a mistake in defence saw a loose ball fall for Messi just outside the edge of the penalty area, with no defender between him and the goal, he caught everyone off guard with an audacious and picture-perfect first-time chip over Luis Lopez’s head.
What does it mean? Unbeatable Argentina’s streak remains intact
With the win, Argentina remain undefeated in their 34 matches since last losing to Brazil in the Copa America semi-final back in 2019. They are three matches away from tying Italy for the longest international unbeaten streak – a mark they set just last year.
Messi magic at the centre of Argentinian attack
The Paris Saint-Germain star led his team in nearly every important statistical category, including shots on target (three), touches in opposition box (nine), crosses (three) and successful dribbles (two).
His ability to pick out smart runs from the left wing behind the defence was directly responsible for both of the first two goals, and his chip finish for the third was sublime.
Lonely day up top for Quioto
Honduras striker Romell Quioto had very little supply all day as his side finished with 33 per cent possession, but he did himself no favours.
Of his four passes in the final-third, only one found a teammate, and he finished with no shots and no chances created before being subbed off in the 83rd minute.
What’s next?
Argentina are scheduled to take on Jamaica in their next friendly on Tuesday in what will be their last match before jetting off to Qatar. Honduras will host Guatemala, also on Tuesday.
Ian Foster backed captain Sam Cane but knows New Zealand are “under the spotlight” after they suffered a historic Rugby Championship defeat to Argentina on Saturday.
The Pumas moved to the top of the standings with their first away victory over the All Blacks, winning 25-18Â in Christchurch.
While Michael Cheika’s side were on cloud nine, the All Blacks crashed back down to earth after lifting the gloom with a win over South Africa at Ellis Park.
New Zealand head coach Foster was informed he would keep his job through to the Rugby World Cup in France next year following the win over the Springboks, but questions are being asked about his future again.
Cane has also come under fire and Foster hauled him off after he showed indiscipline to gift Argentinaa penalty by tackling Pablo Matera without the ball 14 minutes from time, with Emiliano Boffelli punishing him by extending the lead to seven points.
Foster said: “Clearly he [Cane] is under the spotlight. We are all under the spotlight when things don’t go well. But behind the scenes, [Cane is] strong.
“I thought a lot of his tackle and work around the breakdown was a big shift up in the last two games, and we are pleased with that.’”
Foster said he would be speaking to Cane about his hit on Matera.
He added: “Yeah, no doubt about that. We will work through all that. It’s probably reflective of a team that’s trying really, really hard and is close and not quite there.”
There was good news for the All Blacks on Sunday, when Brodie Retallick was cleared to join the squad in Hamilton after recovering from a broken cheekbone.
Defeat for holders New Zealand was their fourth in six Tests this year and left them third in the table behind the Pumas and Australia.
Barca have targeted defender Foyth after missing out on Cesar Azpilicueta, who decided to stay at Chelsea.
Villarreal vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza warned the Catalan giants they would have to meet the €42million release clause in order to sign the Argentina right-back.
Emery reiterated that former Tottenham full-back Foyth is not looking to leave, but the Villarreal head coach accepts there are no guarantees he will stay.
“Barca’s interest is real,” Emery told Cadena SER’s ‘El Larguero’. “It’s a position they need and it fits for them. The issue is whether the player wants it or not, he has always told me that he is very happy.
“He does not contemplate leaving and wants to stay. From here, I don’t know to what extent circumstances will go one way or the other.
“He’s an important player for us and he’s grown a lot in recent years. I don’t rule out that at any given moment the surprise will be against us, but the most normal thing is that he stays at Villarreal.”
Emery is hoping to add to his squad by signing striker Edinson Cavani, who is also wanted by Valencia.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal boss said: “I spoke to Edinson Cavani we have a good relationship, he wants to come to Spain. It’s possible.”
Also, the central bank has put up its 28-day monetary policy rate 9.5% percentage points.
The bank raised the rate by 8 percentage points two weeks ago.
“The rise in the policy rate will help reduce inflation expectations for the remainder of the year,” the bank said in a statement.
The country’s inflation rate has hit a 20-year high of over 70%. It is forecast to reach 90% by the end of 2022.
Controlling soaring prices, tackling high debt levels and reining in government spending in South America’s second largest economy are at the top of the agenda for Argentina’s latest economy minister, Sergio Massa.
Mr Massa hopes to calm inflation using a more conventional approach than his predecessors.
He is looking at raising interest rates and preventing the printing of more money to fund government spending.
In July, MartÃn Guzmán resigned as finance minister after being in the role for more than two and a half years. His successor Silvina Batakis lasted just a month in the post.
However, the impact of measures the government has to implement to meet the conditions of the deal is a major cause of concern for many in the country.
In recent weeks, protestors have taken to the streets of the capital Buenos Aires to demonstrate against President Alberto Fernández’ handling of the economy.
Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile have presented a joint bid to FIFA to enable them host the 2030 World Cup.
Hosting the 2030 World Cup for Uruguaywould mean a lot to the country since it would mark its centenary after hosting the competition’s first ever tournament in 1930.
President of the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), Alejandro Dominguez, said “there will be more World Cups, but the cup only turns 100 one time, and it needs to come home.”
According to him, “this is the dream of a continent.”
Corroborating the need for a centenary celebration is President of the Uruguayan Football Association, Ignacio Alonso, who said “It’s right for the World Cup to be hosted where it all began, 100 years later.”Â
Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal have also announced a bid to be joint hosts.
Fifa plans to select the 2030 host in 2024.
The UK and Republic of Ireland football associations agreed in February not to bid for the 2030 World Cup and instead focus on a joint attempt to host Euro 2028.
Uruguay beat Argentina in the final to win the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and Dominguez was speaking at the scene of that win – Montevideo’s Centenario Stadium.
Chile hosted the World Cup in 1962, while the tournament was held in Argentina in 1978.
The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar while Canada, Mexico and the USA will be joint hosts in 2026.
Lionel Messiand Angel di Maria shone as Argentina beat Italy at Wembley in the Finalissima – a renewal of the contest between the champions of Europe and South America.
Messi’s run and cross set up the opener for Lautaro Martinez, who then turned provider for Di Maria to chip a second.
Substitute Paulo Dybala rounded off a handsome win in injury time.
Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini played the first half of what was his 118th and final international match.
The contest is the first between the two continental champions in 29 years.
It is a revival of the Artemio Franchi Cup, competed for twice before – in 1985, when France beat Uruguay and in 1993, when Argentina beat Denmark on penalties.
Argentina further underline huge potential
Argentina’s victory in front of 87,112 continues their remarkable run of results since June 2019 – they are unbeaten in 32 matches, winning their first Copa America since 1993 and cruising through qualification for the World Cup in Qatar in the process.
Their side at Wembley showcased a host of elite global talent, including a stellar front three of Di Maria, Martinez and Messi, who were a menace throughout with their movement and neat interplay.
It was Di Maria and Messi who truly stood out, however, staging their own mini contest with Paris St-Germain club-mate and Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in what became an increasingly one-sided affair.
Inside two minutes, Di Maria was attempting to lob Donnarumma from close to halfway. By the end of the first half, he had scored a magnificent chip to follow up Martinez’s opener, created by a typically untouchable Messi run and cross.
Italy were simply grateful to their keeper for the string of impressive saves he made to keep the scoreline respectable, before Dybala fired in low with the last kick of the game.
Behind Argentina’s front three, Giovani lo Celso and Rodrigo de Paul were a constant source of energy and positivity while Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero provided grit and guile when needed at the back.
It is 36 years since Argentina won the World Cup. With this side, marrying its undoubted talent with a supreme work-rate, they would appear to have an excellent chance of ending their wait for a third global crown.
Disappointing Wembley return for Italy
For Italy, Wednesday’s game could have been a celebration – a return to the scene of their Euro 2020 triumph and a chance to say goodbye to one of the modern game’s great defenders.
Instead, what started out as a bitter-sweet occasion ended as a chastening one.
The Azzurri know it will be at least four years before they have the chance to face elite non-European opposition such as Argentina in a competitive fixture again. They also now know just how wide the gulf is between themselves and such sides.
Their failure to qualify for this year’s World Cup – the second in a row they will have missed – is undoubtedly a huge blow to a nation that had come so far under the management of Roberto Mancini and would have fancied their chances in Qatar.
It was only nine months ago that they recorded the longest unbeaten run in international football – 37 matches, during which they won the Euros for the second time in their history.
But as the shock play-off defeat by North Macedonia made abundantly clear, theirs is a side in clear need of renewal – a process possibly better enabled by being away from the pressures of competing at a major tournament in the middle of another gruelling domestic season.
The process has already begun. Roberto Mancini’s matchday squad had an eye on the future, including inexperienced 23-year-olds Alessandro Bastoni and Gianluca Scamacca and a fourth start for 22-year-old forward Giacomo Raspadori.
His hand has also been forced, with Chiellini departing the international stage after a typically combative 45 minutes, taking 118 caps’ worth of experience with him.
Further changes and experiments will come, but so do stern fixtures in the shape of Germany, Hungary and England in the Nations League.
For Argentina, the sky is the limit; for Italy things may get worse before they get better.
‘It was a beautiful final’ – what they said
Messi’s performance was at odds with his first season in French football, in which he has only scored 11 times – his lowest return in 16 years. But he thrived in an atmosphere fuelled by vocal Argentine support.
“We knew it was going to be a nice match and a nice setting to be champion,” he said.
“It was a beautiful final, full of Argentines. What we experienced here was beautiful.”
Italy boss Mancini spoke in equally glowing terms of the setting – but less enamoured with the result.
“To play in Wembley is fantastic,” he said. “Every time we play here it is an incredible moment for football and for us.
“The atmosphere tonight was absolutely fantastic, in the end for us maybe not so good but this is football.
“I think they played better than us. They have a fantastic striker, midfielders, they played very, very well.”
Ravaged by drought, the Parana Delta in Argentina, one of the largest and most biodiverse in the world, has been burning like never before since the beginning of the year.
During the first seven months of 2020, more than 11,000 fires were detected in the 14,000 square kilometer (5,400 square mile) region, according to the Antonio Scasso Museum of Natural Sciences.
More than 530 square kilometers of marshland — an area equivalent to three times Argentina’s sprawling capital Buenos Aires, which lies to the southeast — has been razed, according to estimates based on satellite images.
The flames are devastating the rich biodiversity of a territory that is home to 700 species of plants and animals, according to the National Rosario and Littoral universities.
“The fires generate an immediate impact and others that are felt over the medium and long term: the death of animals, the loss of the natural habitat of many species, impoverishment of the soil, water and air contamination, emissions that generate climate change,” Graciela Klekailo, from Rosario University, told AFP.
The delta is a flood plain made up of several islands where the Parana River empties into the Rio de la Plata.
– Livestock producers accused –
The question on everyone’s mind, though, is who is responsible?
Environment Minister Juan Cabandie accuses livestock producers of using fire to clear dry pastureland and regenerate it for their livestock.
Cabandie has filed a criminal complaint against producers and land tenants.
But those producers deny the accusations and claim the fires undermine their activities, in turn blaming authorities for “lack of control and neglect.”
Jorge Postma, from Rosario University, says this year’s exceptional conditions have caused the catastrophe.
The Parana River — whose name means little sea in the local Guarani language — is much lower than normal.
“Right now the level of the Parana River in the Rosario port hydrometer is 80 centimeters. Normally in this area at this time of year it’s three or four meters,” said Postma.
– ‘Heartbroken’ –
Javier Torres belongs to a family in the city of Entre Rios that has produced honey for decades.
This year, 270 bee hives in the Delta’s island areas were devoured by fire.
“It took years to build and will take me years to rebuild. I’m heart- broken. I haven’t received any help from anyone so far,” Torres told AFP.
Depending on the direction of the wind, the largest coastal cities on the western bank of the Parana, such as Rosario, San Lorenzo and Villa Constitucion, are engulfed by a dense cloud of smoke that causes breathing problems and allergies.
It’s made all the worse by the coronavirus pandemic.
In June, Rosario University researchers found that the city’s air had five times the allowed level of pollution.
“This is very serious in the context of a pandemic, with breathing issues,” the researchers wrote.
– ‘Little Amazon’ –
While livestock rearing is the main activity in the Delta area, it also attracts poachers, fishermen and real estate speculators.
Pablo Cantador, an environmentalist from the “Don’t Touch Parana” group, told AFP that the uncontrollable fires “are the result of decades of forgetting about the marshes.”
A group of universities and environmental organizations is clamoring for Congress to urgently pass a bill aimed at protecting the marshland.
They say the new law would create greater regulations regarding the use of the land and protect the Delta.
However, it has already failed twice to win passage in the legislature.
“It’s the most important marsh system in Argentina. Here we call it our little Amazon,” said Laura Prol, from the Ecologist Workshop, who is demanding action by authorities.
A woman in Argentina has written to authorities to support the release of her son’s killer from prison during the coronavirus pandemic, recognizing that his asthma puts him at risk.
Silvia Ontivero had earlier contacted magistrates in February, urging the killer’s parole request be rejected.
However, she said the current crisis had made her think again.
“I have had rage. I have had hate. But I have never wished him dead,” she wrote in an open letter.
On Tuesday, Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández endorsed a plan to protect prisoners by moving them to house arrest where possible.
There have been riots in prisons across the country in recent weeks, amid fears that the virus could spread quickly within the overcrowded and poorly sanitised spaces.
The president’s decision has caused controversy, with some fearing justice is being undone, while others insist the releases should be more widespread.
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image caption Prisoners rioted at Villa Devoto prison in Buenos Aires this week after its first Covid-19 case was diagnosed Silvia Ontivero’s son, Alejo Hunau, was murdered in the Andean city of Mendoza in 2004.
Diego Arduino was sentenced to 16 years for the crime.
In a hearing on Tuesday, Judge Mariana Gardey said Arduino was one of 400 prisoners in the Mendoza region considered at risk because of underlying health conditions.
In an open letter released to the local press, Mrs Ontivero said she had thought long and hard, and come to support the idea of house arrest.
“We are talking about something different now. A pandemic. There is overcrowding in prisons and I can imagine the fear that people inside are feeling,” she wrote.
She also told the TN news site that keeping him in prison would be a death sentence, which was something she had always been against.
Mrs Ontivero was a political prisoner for seven years during the country’s military dictatorship, which lasted from 1976 until 1983.
She has previously said her incarceration gave her time to reflect and she wanted to be sure Arduino had enough time to do the same, and make himself a better man, which is why she had opposed an early release.
Her son was a journalist and adviser to the government of Mendoza
He was killed in his apartment, having been struck by a wine bottle.
On Monday, a riot broke out at a prison in the Peruvian capital, Lima, leaving nine people dead. Prison authorities said it was an attempt by the inmates to “facilitate a mass breakout” after two prisoners died of Covid-19.
UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet, the former president of Chile, has called sanitary conditions in Latin American prisons “deplorable” and called for releases of less dangerous inmates.
Chile and Colombia have released thousands of prisoners because of the pandemic. Last week, Mexico’s Senate approved a measure to take similar steps.
El Salvador, however, has taken a hardline approach, insisting convicted gangsters are taking advantage of the pandemic.
On Wednesday, there was further controversy in Argentina, after Carlos Capdevila, a doctor convicted of crimes against humanity, was among those to be granted house arrest.
A judge said the 70-year-old prisoner, who worked at the notorious Esma detention centre during the dictatorship, was at risk from Covid-19 because of “high blood pressure, prostate cancer and motor difficulties”.
Argentine football legend Maradona says he hopes the “Hand of God” can beat the coronavirus pandemic after fate helped the club he coaches avoid relegation.
Maradona’s La Plata-based Gimnasia side were saved from dropping out of the Argentine top-flight after the league was restructured because of the pandemic.
The 59-year-old famously used his hand to score against England in the 1986 World Cup, labelling the act as the Hand of God.
“This happened to us [Gimnasia] and many people are calling it a new Hand of God,” he said.
“I am asking for that hand to do away with the pandemic so people can get back to living their lives, with health and happiness.”
US President Donald Trump has said he will restore tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Brazil and Argentina.
He suggested the countries’ weak currencies and cheap exports were harming US farmers.
“Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies,” Mr Trump said.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said he would seek talks with Mr Trump.
Argentine production minister Dante Sica said he too would request a conversation with his US counterparts.
For Mr Trump, farmers in rural states are an important block of voters, and they have had a difficult time in the past year
Across the country, farm bankruptcies have surged 24% since September 2018, a few months after US trade disputes with China and other countries led to higher tariffs on key farm goods including soyabeans, cotton and dairy, according to analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation
Centre-left opposition candidate Alberto Fernández has been elected president of Argentina in a vote dominated by economic concerns.
Mr Fernández secured more than the 45% of the vote needed to win, beating conservative incumbent Mauricio Macri.
Raucous crowds gathered at Mr Fernández’s election headquarters to celebrate the result.
The vote was held amid an economic crisis that has left a third of Argentina’s population in poverty.
Mr Macri had trailed behind his challenger in pre-election polls and was trounced by the opposition in primary elections in August.
He conceded defeat on Sunday night. Congratulating his political rival, he said he had invited Mr Fernández to the presidential palace on Monday to discuss an orderly transition.
Mr Fernández later told supporters he would collaborate with the outgoing president “in every way we can”, according to Reuters.
With more than 90% of ballots counted, Mr Fernández had 47.79% of the vote, compared to Mr Macri’s 40.71%.
o win in the first round, a candidate needs at least 45% of the vote, or 40% and a 10-point lead over the second-place contestant.
Alberto Fernández will assume the presidency on 10 December.
The vote was dominated by concerns over the economy. With nearly one in three people now living in poverty, voters backed the candidate they thought was best-placed to lead the country out of the crisis.
Mr Macri promised to achieve “zero poverty”, but things actually worsened during his four-year rule. His supporters say he inherited a broken economy when he came to power and needed more time to sort it out.
Mr Fernández has vowed to play things safe financially.
Career politician Mr Fernández has caused quite a stir since he first appeared in the limelight of Argentine politics some six months ago.
The former campaign strategist began his bid for the presidency in May – something of a surprise as ex-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner had been widely tipped to be the centre-left opposition coalition’s candidate for the top office.
But Mr Fernández really came into his own in August when he defeated Mr Macri by nearly 15 percentage points in primary elections, a compulsory vote for all electors which is seen is a dry-run for the presidency.
This victory, defying all predictions, set him up as the clear favourite.
