For its diverse appeal and fan following, the football world still remains a small one for the players. While they go at each other’s necks when playing for their clubs, the tables are turned when they are on national duty. Though this aspect of the sport bemuses pundits and spectators alike, it’s just a role reversal for the players.
Ask the Argentine quartet of Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria about it! They represent two of the fiercest rivals of all time: Messi and Mascherano play for Barcelona and the other two don Real Madrid colours. Barely two weeks ago, they were involved in one of the most ill-tempered club clashes.
That match, the Super Cup second leg played at Camp Nou, portrayed the ugly side of the Real-Barca rivalry. In what resembled a street fight, players from both sides came to blows with Higuain being one of the central characters.
The rivalry, though, has taken a backseat over the past few days. The quartet realises they can’t let that affect the Argentine side. Di Maria says they make a conscious effort not to talk about their clubs while on national duty. “We have a pact amongst us that when we play for Argentina, we will not talk about Real Madrid and Barcelona,” he says.
Di Maria goes on to add, “One of the better things to have happened is that Lionel has been made captain. The way he has performed, I think he deserves it.” Point taken.
But does he have the same respect for Messi when he dons a Barca jersey? “As I said, we would rather talk about the national team,” he says. If that’s the case, then it’s good.
It must, however, be said that things haven’t been all that smooth between the Spanish players from both clubs. Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has voiced concerns on several occasions that the feisty ties between the two sides has “divided” the national team.
But on Friday, the world champions proved they are “united”. They stood up for each other during a fight at the end of their friendly against Chile in Gallen, Switzerland. Midfielder Andres Iniesta said the incident had buried any suspicions of a rift between the Real Madrid and Barcelona members of the squad, following the recent acrimonious clashes between the two clubs. “We’re all fighting for the same cause and we’re all teammates, there’s no doubt whatsoever about that,” Iniesta said after Spain’s controversial 3-2 win.
Back to Argentina and Di Maria said a “division” is the last thing they want. The team is already in disarray and to quote Pablo Zabaleta, “Argentina’s new journey begins from Kolkata.” Yes, it began with a 1-0 win over Venezuela on Friday.
Di Maria also said that playing for one’s club is easier than playing for the country. “At Real, we train daily. We have a well-knit team and playing together is easier. We don’t spend much time with the national team. So you see the difference in performance,” he quipped. “But playing for country is a matter of pride.”
