When Nicolas Gaitan was just another kid toiling in the youth ranks of Boca Juniors, he would make a note of watching Zinedine Zidane in action. The youngster did not stand out particularly amongst the Xeneize's legendary production line, to the point where he would call coach Chapa Sune pleading for inclusion in the next match.
"I wish I had even a quarter of their skill," he would sigh to himself as he looked up to those two idols. He dreamed of following in the footsteps of the pair and of Diego Maradona, as the next great Argentina No. 10. History, of course, had other plans, as Gaitan finally found his place out wide. But he has never lost that instinct for a defence-splitting pass, as the 14 assists, he racked up for Benfica in the last league season eloquently show.
Now Gaitan does not have to aspire to emulate either Zizou nor Roman: his next big challenge could be to fill the role of none other than Lionel Messi.
Gaitan made a habit of avoiding the news when Argentina squad lists were announced. "I don't like disappointment," he used to say. So when the call came, this time, around, shortly after lifting the Taca da Liga with Benfica, he was overjoyed. At that point he could not have imagined that the Albiceleste captain would pick up an injury in the nation's warm-up clash against Honduras, throwing him in the spotlight as a prime candidate to replace him. "I have never been in a competition with Argentina, not even in the Under-20s."
Messi could yet still play against Chile, but he is racing against the clock. Gerardo Martino stated on Sunday that he would be picked if he felt fit enough to play, while confirming Gaitan as his substitute should Messi's absence be confirmed. With Ezequiel Lavezzi also out the Argentina coach has limited options, but Gaitan appears the best choice to fill the captain's shoes on the right. The Copa comes at a time when the winger's next move is heavily disputed: Liverpool and Juventus have enquired about his services, but Atletico Madrid appear the most likely destination this summer.
The 28-year-old, to date capped just 13 times by Argentina, lives alone in Europe, and in the historic Lisbon, institution found a family. "My life here is very peaceful, I am on my own and my family come to visit every now and then," he explains.
"I was lucky enough to meet Maxi Pereira, the Uruguayan. He, his wife Ana and kids Belen, Tomas, Thiago and Clara make me feel part of the family and I will always be grateful." But if the winger chooses Madrid he will also be in familiar company, alongside fellow Argentina team-mates Augusto Fernandez and Matias Kranevitter.
A season record of 17 assists and eight goals in the Primeira Liga and Champions League are decent numbers, while clearly not in the same league as record-breaking Messi. But he has other qualities that have convinced Martino. His left foot is a regular source of cutting passes and has the ability to deliver superb crosses, too. Messi's understudy has a point to prove in the United States, and they can count on him to give his all in the face of an impossible mission like replacing the best in
No comments:
Post a Comment