There’s nothing like the Superclásico
This afternoon in Buenos Aires, Boca Juniors play River Plate at the infamous La Bombonera. Argentina stops and drapes itself in blue and yellow or red and white. Buenos Aires beats to the drum of the two powerhouses. Our friends Luke Barclay and Dale con Comba teamed up with KICKTV to create a series of graphics that capture the craziest rivalry in the world, which has also featured some of the best players the world has ever seen.
For more on the Superclásico, check out KICKTV’s preview, the 18 Reasons why Boca-River is the craziest rivalry in the world, and Joel Richards’ eBook on the history of the rivalry. [Posted by Eric]
Mauro Icardi flies close to the sun
It was the moment when Sampdoria fans held their breath. Their former youth team player, Christian Puggioni, had come racing off his line on a kamikaze mission to protect the Chievo goal. When he reached the advancing Doria striker Mauro Icardi he sent a bit of everything flying. Around Italy and beyond, the young Italo-Argentinian’s list of potential suitors flinched noticeably.
Prof Claudio Mazzola, a medical consultant with the Genoese club, scampered from his seat in the stands down to the dressing rooms to check on the talented 20-year-old’s condition. There were further checks the following day as everyone anxiously awaited news. Eventually, the white smoke came, it was a nasty knock but nothing serious. The drawers containing the club chequebook could be reopened around the world.
Every Italian season throws up a new surprise goalscorer. Some of them go on to have great careers and emerge as genuine world beaters. Others turn out to be Rolando Bianchi. Few experts doubt, however, that Icardi is the real deal.
Team Messi hits the pitch.
Okay, you’re the latest member to join Team Messi… Your face appears on the news, displayed on skyscrapers and you even get a mural painted by someone without your permission. You’re just a step away from being a meme sensation. You’ve become part of a movement, one which plays the Messi Way. So when you’re on field, how do you beat a player without the help of Xavi or Iniesta?
Stepping their game up a level with their talisman Leo Messi and his first signature adizero f50 boot, adidas have now created an innovative 3D digital video that uses your Facebook details creating a personalised experience. The music is fresh, the technology is clever, and you get a glimpse of what it’s like to be in the shoes of the boy from Rosario.
![As close as you can get to tracking Messi
The living legend’s finally showing up for his nation, and Argentina are swiftly on their way to qualifying for the World Cup. This past weekend, Lionel Messi was in fine form as Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0. TV Publica in Argentina had a camera on Leo the whole match, and while it’s not Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, this compilation is just as mesmerizing. [Posted by Eric]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/2f8056d4b643c0640c310aa54c65563c/tumblr_mk91a74Qs61qaznnlo2_500.gif)
As close as you can get to tracking Messi
The living legend’s finally showing up for his nation, and Argentina are swiftly on their way to qualifying for the World Cup. This past weekend, Lionel Messi was in fine form as Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0. TV Publica in Argentina had a camera on Leo the whole match, and while it’s not Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, this compilation is just as mesmerizing. [Posted by Eric]
The new Pope, Francis I, Is A San Lorenzo Fan
Today, there was white smoke in the air. Whether you were interested or not, we found out the new Pope is Argentinean Jorge Bergoglio. We also found out that he loves the footy, thanks to the almighty power of the internet.
As Dirty Tackle explains, “The Buenos Aires club wasted no time in promoting that fact via their Twitter account, sharing an undated picture of Pope Francis holding up the San Lorenzo crest and a scan of his club membership card (both below), which shows that he’s been a member since 2008. San Lorenzo also count actor Viggo Mortensen among their biggest supporters.”
It’s also worth noting that the Pope’s beloved club is totally predictable. I mean, San Lorenzo were named after a local priest (Father Lorenzo Massa). Lorenzo welcomed children to play football in his church’s yard, so they wouldn’t have to do so with the danger in the street. It all comes full circle, in a way.
“Messi” by Daniel Kliger
Oil on canvas. 18x24.
“Sport seems to me the best expression of modernism. It is a balance between war and art, competition and beauty. Lionel Messi, as one of our greatest footballers, is also our greatest warrior and our greatest artist. Here Messi finds himself in an impressionist landscape and under the more violent sky of a war painting like Benjamin West’s ‘The Death of General Wolfe.’”
Daniel Kliger lives in New York City, where he attends Columbia University. We’re delighted to be featuring “Messi” on AFR. [Posted by Eric]
The night Roman returns. By Gonza Rodriguez x Dale con Comba.
The Argentine Clausura is in full force, but tonight Juan Roman Riquelme returns to La Bombonera to suit up for Boca Juniors. After a long spell of contemplating retirement, tonight will be the first time JRR is playing in 8 months, and for the occasion our two incredible jefes capos artists based in South America created something special.
Talent rose, Brazil and Argentina sunk, and ‘Los Cafeteros’ shined in this year’s Sub-20 Sudamericano
By Tom Robinson
Much like the most recent Copa America, the under-20 South American Championship also saw its fair share of surprises as the continental apple cart was well and truly upset when Argentina and Brazil crashed out early, leaving some of the less fancied nations to take centre stage. Colombia emerged victorious after topping the final round robin stage and booked their place at this summer’s under-20 World Cup in Turkey along with Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile.
The Sudamericano regularly provides glimpses of some of the most talented youngsters in world football, with notable alumni such as Ronaldinho, Aguero and Messi all gracing the competition in their formative years. A relentless schedule sees the games come thick and fast, providing these precocious tyros with great experience of tournament football. What’s more, due to the necessary rotation, it also rewards the squads with the greatest depth and overall balance.
This last point in particular seems to be a key concept that Brazil and Argentina failed to grasp. Both nations, as we’ve come to expect, were littered with outstanding prospects but neither seemed to be able to function as a collective unit. Ultimately, they paid the price: a humbling and thoroughly deserved early exit.
