Zanetti highlights Nico Paz as key figure for Argentina, alongside Messi
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Former Argentine national team player Javier Zanetti highlighted young Nico Paz as a key player for Argentina's World Cup squad, alongside Lionel Messi.
- Zanetti believes South American teams like Brazil and Argentina are well-prepared and have the "hierarchy" to succeed in the tournament.
- He also commented on the challenging conditions of heat and altitude, noting that players typically focus on the game rather than the environment.
Javier Zanetti, a former star for Argentina and Inter Milan, has identified young player Nico Paz as a crucial figure for the national football team, potentially as important as Lionel Messi. Zanetti expressed confidence in Argentina's squad, stating they possess significant "hierarchy" for their upcoming World Cup matches.
He is young, but I believe this World Cup is very good for him to demonstrate all his quality.
Speaking after a legends match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Zanetti emphasized Paz's potential. "He is young, but I believe this World Cup is very good for him to demonstrate all his quality," Zanetti said. He also assessed that South American teams, including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Ecuador, have prepared thoroughly for the World Cup and are highly capable.
Unfortunately Paraguay lost, but I think Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador have prepared very well for this World Cup and I think they will be very capable when playing.
Zanetti acknowledged the anticipated challenges of heat and altitude during the tournament. "It's going to be very hot," he admitted, but added that Mexico, the United States, and Canada are familiar with these conditions. He believes that once the games begin, players will focus on competing rather than the environmental factors.
It's going to be very hot, although Mexico, the United States, and Canada are three countries that know each other very well, and in my opinion, when they start playing, nobody focuses on that anymore.
When asked about José Mourinho's return to Real Madrid, Zanetti, who played under Mourinho at Inter, expressed optimism. He described Mourinho as a person with "a lot of personality" who knows the club well and will strive to make Real Madrid a top contender in all competitions. Esteban Cambiasso, another former Argentine international, also shared his joy at returning to the Bernabeu and wished Mourinho success in his new role.
He has a lot of personality, knows this club very well and will try to transmit all his knowledge so that Real Madrid is a protagonist in all competitions.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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