World Soccer - UK (2019-09)

(Antfer) #1

Joel Richards reports


from Buenos Aires


At the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil,
an Argentinian journalist was making small
talk with several members of the Italy
squad ahead of TV interviews. He was
trying to coax players into drawing an
imaginary stripe across his chest, a
gesture in Argentina to show when one
is a River Plate supporter. “No, no,” said
Daniele De Rossi. “I support Boca.”
Six years on, with over 600 games for
Roma to his name and nearing the end
of a career that includes a World Cup
winner’s medal, De Rossi is indulging a
life-long ambition. After rejecting lucrative
offers to play in MLS or China, and from
other clubs in Italy, he signed a one-year
deal with Boca Juniors.
“Why not come to Boca?” he said in


his first interview with the club website
shortly after arriving in Buenos Aires.
“The passion at this club has moved
me since I was young.”
His passion for the game and
fascination for Boca are the only
explanations behind De Rossi’s switch
because there are many reasons why
no major European players – let alone
World Cup winners – dare make the
move that he has.
The standard in the Argentinian league
is low, even if De Rossi has said all the
right things about the quality he has seen
since arriving. Argentinian clubs cannot
offer a fraction of the wages that even
neighbours Brazil can, let alone clubs
in the Middle East or China. And, as De

eye

witness

ARGENTINA

All roads lead


De Rossi to Boca

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