Defender Zabaleta says Argentina are ‘rebuilding’; believes Messi is the right man to lead them.
For an Argentine fan, the last decade has been painful. From the ignominy of being booted out of the Copa America in early rounds to having their coaches sacked, appointed, and sacked again…the suffering has been too much.
Under newly-appointed coach Alejandro Sabella, Argentina embark on a new journey and the coach and his wards realise they cannot afford any slip-ups this time.
“It has been difficult but we are in a rebuilding stage. Copa was a disappointment and we want to make up for it,” acknowledges right back Pablo Zabaleta.
The rebuilding process begins at Salt Lake Stadium here on Friday, where Lionel Messi will make his debut as Argentina captain.
Zabaleta believes Messi is the right choice for the job as he enjoys the confidence of all the players. “We all look up to him. He is an idol for all of us and always sets an example for everyone - be it on the pitch, or off it,” he says.
Will captaincy put Messi under more pressure? “People like to say things. But you need to realise that he is playing for Argentina and not Barca where he has support of Iniesta and Xavi. When we play for Argentina, we gather 2-3 days before camp. The practice isn’t as much as we would like. May be that’s one reason. The more we play, more cohesive we will be,” he says.
He isn’t finished yet. Zabaleta gestures towards his teammates, who were strolling in the hotel lobby and says, “You see the confidence on their faces. It comes because we know we have a player like Messi up in our ranks. His presence alone lifts the morale of the side. Pressure will always be there on him, he is in such a position. But football is a team game in the end. I am sure he will relish this added responsibility.”
The defender, who plays for Manchester City, now has the responsibility to fill in for Argentina’s legendary right back Javier Zanetti. Zabaleta, who is more at home when playing as a right midfielder, is currently Argentina’s first choice right back.
“It is more important to do what the team needs me to do. In the end, the aim is to win. So if the coach thinks I am better off as a right back then so be it. I am happy with my role in the side,” he says.
Friday’s match will “set the tone for our World Cup qualifiers”. “It will be special to play in front of a 100,000 people. I’m looking forward to it,” he says.
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