There was always a distance, an invisible glass, that could never be breached with Maradona. We were below, and he stood above as we never intersected on the same plane. Read more »
Argentina Analysis
Diego Maradona, Who Gave Us Meaning
Maradona Documentary Review: Pieces Together A Player, A Place, A Time
At some point, there was no turning back as Maradona took control over Diego, with the armor of a persona shielding the person from a combination of idolatry, crippling addiction, and the hostility of Italy at the time. Read more »
Messi Goes Again, For 2019 And Beyond
Lionel Messi's devotion to winning with Argentina in the face of obvious deficiencies evokes a combination of a soccer Sisyphus and a Godot-esque of wait for a title that will seemingly never come. Read more »
Copa America Semifinal Abstract: Brazil 2, Argentina 0
Brazil's efficiency in defending and counter attacking makes you forget they don't even have Neymar, but they do have Gabriel Jesus. Read more »
Copa America Abstract: Colombia 2, Argentina 0
Colombia were organized in their high press and direct in their attacking. They also were energized by the occasion while Argentina was going through the motions. Read more »
2019 Copa America Preview: Stasis & Change In A Modern Soccer World
In 2019, the Copa America is defined as much by what it isn’t in the modern soccer age, as much as what it strives to represent. Read more »
South America Regroups After A Disappointing World Cup
Each of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay and Peru may look vastly different from a managerial standpoint at the 2019 Copa America in Brazil. But whether a new manager implements a possession or counter attacking style, teams must be compact and balanced to win in South America, and even more so to win in the World Cup. Read more »
A World Cup Abstract: France 4, Argentina 3
On Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and how France now feels inevitable. Read more »
The Defining Matches Of The 2018 World Cup Group Stage
The struggles of the traditional soccer powers gave an opportunity for bubbling sides like Belgium and Croatia to stamp their mark in Russia. Read more »
Lionel Messi Bails Out Argentina Again
Even with Argentina moving on to a round of 16 matchup against France, there is still the larger issue of an aging player pool for Jorge Sampaoli or any future manager to choose from. Read more »
Can Jorge Sampaoli Get The Most Out Of Lionel Messi?
Jorge Sampaoli is playing with house money in Russia. His true impact for Argentina will be shaped over the following years heading into 2022. Read more »
Marcelo Gallardo Aims His Press Towards Europe
Rumors of Marcelo Gallardo's future mimic the conundrum of Argentine talent developed domestically then exported to Europe in their prime. Read more »
Absolute Harmony, Team Spirit And Progressing Through CONMEBOL
The CONMEBOL table reflects a larger changing of the guard at play in analyzing the rise of Colombia and Peru, and the struggles of Argentina and Chile. Read more »
Jorge Sampaoli Finally Lands His Dream Job With Argentina
Jorge Sampaoli's mission statement for his time as national team manager is to expand the talent pool with fresh legs. He is not one who manages through small improvements and iterations. It's either all or nothing. Read more »
Mauro Icardi Comes Of Age
Early this season, we're beginning to see the player Mauro Icardi can become, not just as a poacher but a captain who inspires his teammates. It's already been a long and interesting path for a 23-year-old. Read more »
Argentina Vs. Chile: The Rematch And Destiny
It's Argentina this time around who are peaking at the right moment. Perhaps not necessarily in terms of a national playing style, but in team chemistry, their midfield and attack all in their prime, and figuring out how to play with and without Messi. Read more »
Towards A Future Without Lionel Messi
The cynic will point to the lack of quality group stage opponents, but whether through an improvement in defense, coaching, or players other than Messi, the cohesive side look poised to win their first senior title since 1993. Read more »
The Riquelme Way
Juan Roman Riquelme's playmaking peers, Zidane, Xavi and Totti, each found a middle ground between their vision and team pragmatism, and were rewarded by winning a World Cup. On talent alone, Riquelme should have been here. Read more »
Argentina The Morning After
The lure of European soccer (and money) makes it difficult for Argentine soccer to produce a unified core and nine years after making his international debut, they continue to struggle with getting the best out of Lionel Messi. Read more »
Tchau To All That
The individual brilliance of the early matches was eventually neutralized by countries with better all-around squads and this was a World Cup that became reasonably predictable once we escaped the group stage. But every single minute was thrilling and worth it. Read more »