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Maradona: Messi Must Be Argentina’s Leader

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Diego Maradona has told Lionel Messi that he expects him to give everything for his country and become the leader of the national team by living up to all the expectations that surround him.

The Albicelestes coach believes that the Barcelona star must show the utmost dedication at international level, citing himself as an example to follow.

Messi is currently rated as one of the world’s best players, but Maradona wants him to ensure that he steps up yet another level when playing for Argentina and leads the side forward.

“I gave everything for my country as I played when I had to have injections or I was injured,” the trainer told reporters.

“I hope to see Leo doing this and a lot more besides for the good of Argentina because we have great expectations of what he can do for the national team.

“It cost me a lot to keep playing. It is a unique opportunity because the players need a leader and I want him to be it. I am proud of the squad that I have.”

Maradona feels that some of the desire to play for Argentina has been lacking and is keen to remind the squad what he feels it means to wear the Albicelestes’ colours.

“I want to bring back the old mystique of the shirt, to instil into the players what wearing it really means,” he added

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com

Maradona: ‘I Won’t Resign’

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)—Diego Maradona says he will not resign as the coach of Argentina’s national team if his former teammate Oscar Ruggeri is not accepted as his assistant.

“It cost me a lot to get here, so it’s one-time opportunity,” said Maradona at a press conference in Venezuela’s capital on Tuesday. “I want to have Oscar Ruggeri at my side as a coach, but if that’s not possible, I’m not going to resign.”

Argentine Football Association boss Julio Grondona has said he will not give in to Maradona’s push for Ruggeri as an assistant.

Ruggeri was Maradona’s teammate in Argentina’s triumph at the 1986 World Cup, and they also played together at the 1990 and 1994 World Cup finals.

Asked if he thought 21-year-old Lionel Messi is better than he was at the same age, Maradona replied: “Hopefully he can do much more than I did because that way all Argentines win.”

Messi’s strength on the ball, excellent balance and left-footed mastery of defenders have made for obvious parallels with Maradona, who has approved the comparison.

He joked about Grondona’s comment that Messi is better.

“When he’s with me, he tells me I’m better than Messi. And when he’s with Messi, he tells him he’s the best,” said Maradona, drawing laughter from journalists and adoring fans.

Maradona said he hopes to meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during his visit to the country.

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com

David Beckham considering staying with AC Milan

MILAN, Italy (AP)—David Beckham is enjoying his stay with AC Milan so much that he is considering remaining in Italy after his two-month loan expires.

“Playing here is the dream of every footballer,” Beckham said in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Wednesday. “But deciding isn’t easy. It’s a question that takes time.”

Beckham’s loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy expires March 8, after which he is due to return to Major League Soccer.

“I’m under contract and I have a lot of respect for the Galaxy. But the chance to play for Milan is something special,” Beckham said in the interview, which was published in Italian. “I knew I would enjoy it, but I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much. But in terms of character, I’m a very respectful person.”

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said Tuesday the seven-time European champions were prepared to pay a fee to keep Beckham, and would meet with his representatives in the next few days.

“I find (Milan) very similar to Manchester United. It has that tradition that only the great clubs have,” Beckham said. “At Milan, like at United, it’s a very particular atmosphere wherever you go, from the training pitch to the stadium.”

The former United and Real Madrid player scored his first goal for Milan in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Bologna.

His second came on Wednesday from a free kick 33 minutes into a match against Genoa, with England coach Fabio Capello looking on. The sharp-angled shot taken from the left of Genoa’s area put Milan ahead 1-0.

Beckham started in Milan’s three previous matches, and the Rossoneri did not lose, drawing with AS Roma and beating Fiorentina and Bologna.

Beckham hopes to be called up by Capello for a friendly against Spain on Feb. 11 and equal Bobby Moore’s record of 108 England appearances for an outfield player.

His ultimate goal is to make England’s team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and moving back to Los Angeles may hinder that bid. Capello was the one who suggested that Milan sign Beckham.

“The Americans are doing everything they can to improve the level and reputation of their game. It’s a young league and I think it needs another 10 years to become successful,” said Beckham, whose contract with the Galaxy lasts through 2012.

“I have to admit that, having played in Europe, sometimes it was frustrating playing in certain games. But every now and then, moving from one state to another, I also enjoyed myself.”

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com

Burkart confident after Suzuki switch

German Aaron Burkart believes a switch from Citroen to Suzuki will give him the best chance of winning the J-WRC title he narrowly missed out on in 2008.

Last year Burkart lost out to series winner, and fellow Citroen driver, Sebastien Ogier by eight points, but is hoping a switch from the C2 to a Swift Super1600 constructed and supported by Suzuki Sport Europe will give him the edge in 2009.

Burkart, 26, decided to go with the Japanese team after being impressed during a three day gravel and asphalt test at the end of last season.

"I have a good feeling and I am already looking forward to our first event," said Burkart. "Up to now we had just a little time in the Swift but I liked it from the first metre"

With the new J-WRC season beginning this month on Rally Ireland, Burkart is relying on his new team to help him quickly get up to speed.

“It is a lot of work until a new car is completely adjusted to your personal driving style but I am confident,” said Burkart. “The Swift's performance on tarmac and on gravel is remarkable, as well as the level of professionalism and the passion on which the team's work is based. I think that it will be a successful and enjoyable year.”

Aaron will be supported throughout the season by experienced driver manager Lorenza Bellini.

“Aaron is a really talented driver, who already showed his competitiveness in 2008,” said Bellini. “With the assistance of Suzuki Sport Europe we have established a basis for 2009 that may be a perfect precondition for winning the J-WRC-title. We are all extraordinarily motivated and will do our best to achieve this common goal.”

Mr. Ishii, the team manager of Suzuki Sport Europe said, "We are proud that we can collaborate with such a promising driver like Aaron. The test was few days and not a long distance but even though in a short time, he showed us his high potential and I could see his talent as a rally driver. Not only tarmac, but also on gravel, he can control his car very well. As he got J-WRC runner-up title, his improvement is accelerating. I am sure the combination of Aaron and the Swift will make good chemistry."

Source:
http://www.wrc.com

Wilson eyes both WRC titles in 2009

The man in charge of Ford’s WRC programme says his team is aiming to wrestle the FIA titles for both drivers and manufacturers from Citroen this year.

Speaking exclusively to wrc.com, BP Ford Abu Dhabi team principal Malcolm Wilson said the combination of his team’s scoring record last season, a shorter 12-round season in 2009 and a reduced number of asphalt rallies should benefit his drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala.

“We really feel that our drivers are ready to go for both championships,” confirmed Wilson. “For sure Mikko is in a stronger position; he has a lot more experience and set that incredible record last year when he became the first driver ever to score points on every round.

“If you look at this season, with fewer events then I think it’s going to be even more important not to retire. As a team we’ve got to make sure we keep up the reliability of the Ford Focus. Then of course we have Jari, who has proved he has the speed to win rallies. I think the combination of these factors puts us in a strong position for both championships,” he added.

Wilson revealed that Hirvonen and Latvala would visit the team’s UK base for a two day strategy summit before Rally Ireland. “That’s where we’ll be discussing what we hope to achieve and our tactics for individual rallies,” said Wilson. “We already know that, for instance, Sebastien is going to be very difficult to beat in Ireland - especially if it’s clean and smooth. But on the other hand, if it’s snowy then anything can happen.”

Source:
http://www.wrc.com

Petter Solberg confirms Citroen comeback

Petter Solberg will drive a privately owned 2006 specification Citroen Xsara WRC on Rally Norway and is planning on tackling the complete 2009 WRC season from then on.

The 2003 World Champion was left without a drive this year after his previous team, Subaru, pulled out of the series at the end of last year. And with no vacancies at the Ford or Citroen factory teams it looked like Petter might face at least one season on the sidelines before another manufacturer deal could be done.

However this afternoon, speaking to exclusively to wrc.com, Solberg said he intends to run his own team for up to 11 rounds this year, to keep up his rally knowledge and buy more time to negotiate a paid drive for 2010.

“I’ll be in the Xsara for Rally Norway and the plan is to do the whole championship from then - although not necessarily with the same car,” said Petter. “Everything I’m doing is being done with 2010 in mind. We’ll start with Norway, with my own team, but I haven’t got the entire 2009 season together yet. I’ve put this deal together in twenty days, and I expect things will change through the season. Nobody knows what the future will bring but I’m happy with what we’ve got for the short term.

“Okay, I know many people think I’m crazy for doing what I’m doing. Would Marcus Gronholm, Tommi Makinen or Colin McRae have done what I’m doing now? - I don’t think so,” he added.

Solberg has tested the Xsara just once, on snow, and descried the experience as ‘good fun’. He wouldn’t be drawn on comparisons with the Subaru Impreza - saying he’d have to wait until Norway to see how competitive the car would be.

Rumours earlier this month suggested Solberg might drive for a new Proton WRC team in 2010, and might make a few appearances this year in the Malaysian company’s Super 2000 specification Satira.

Petter refused to discuss specifics today but said the future was looking bright: “I have had a lot of talks with many manufacturers and things are looking very good for 2010 - but let’s deal with that as it comes. For now I’m free to do whatever I want - and that’s the main thing here. As soon as I get something for the future of course I will give it 110 per cent.”

Source:
http://www.wrc.com

New Stobart Ford line-up to make its debut in Ireland

The Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team will be represented by a brand new line-up when the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship season gets underway on Rally Ireland.

It will be the first time that the WRC has started outside Monte Carlo since 1996, but the Cumbrian-based team says this could be beneficial, as previous successes on the Irish event give it a good chance of a strong result.

Stobart achieved its first-ever asphalt podium in Ireland when Jari-Matti Latvala secured third place on the inaugural running of the WRC event in 2007. Matthew Wilson is also a previous Ireland winner - winning it in 2005 when it was a national championship rally.

Rally Ireland will be the 50th WRC start for Wilson, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Thursday - the same day as shakedown. “This is obviously a special event for me having won it in the past and now it’s my 50th WRC start so hopefully it will be kind to me,” said Wilson. “As the first event of the year, it would be good to start off with a decent result and our pre-event test on Monday will certainly help with that. It will be a good boost to my confidence to get some miles in the test rather than going straight into the shakedown on Thursday morning.”

The first of the team’s points nominated drivers, Henning Solberg, is hoping this year’s event will go more smoothly than his last attempt in 2007. On that occasion he had to use a stand-in co-driver (Goran Bergsten) when regular navigator Cato Menkerud stayed at home during the birth of his second child.

“I don’t have a lot of experience on asphalt but when I competed on this rally in 2007 I was running in the top six on the first day, which was very good,” said Solberg. “It’s not a true tarmac rally because there is so much gravel and mud dragged across the road and I cope with these conditions better. The most difficult things about the stages are the high-speed sections and the unpredictable bumps, and it’s hard to get a good feeling with the car. We found a good setting on some tarmac events last year and with a test planned for Monday I’m sure we’ll start the rally with more confidence than before. I’d really like to start the year off well, and a finish inside the top six would be a good boost ahead of my home event in Norway two weeks later.”

The team’s second points nominated driver, Urmo Aava, will be making his Stobart Ford team debut in Ireland. The Estonian and co-pilot Kuldar Sikk completed the recce in 2007 but haven’t driven the event competitively before.

“When I did the recce in 2007 I found the most difficult part of the stage to understand was the grip,” he explained. “For sure this will be a very difficult rally, maybe even more so than Monte Carlo, and in some places it’s like Finland but only on tarmac - with very high speed sections over crests. The plan is to find a good rhythm but it’s most important to get the car to the finish. This is not a rally we want to attack in. This year is an extremely good chance for me in the Stobart team. We have seen some difficult times lately with teams pulling out, so I know how lucky I am to be with a strong team and will definitely make the most of this opportunity.”

Source:
http://www.wrc.com