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'Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez show Olympics will be perfect platform for rising stars' - London 2012 chief Lord Sebastian Coe
Former gold medalist issues reassurance to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson over benefits of Games to young players as London 2012 beckons
30 Nov 2011 00:30:00
EXCLUSIVE
By Rob Stewart
Olympics chief Lord Coe has predicted that next year’s sporting spectacular will provide the ideal stage for future football superstars to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez.
Lord Coe, the head of London 2012, has seen Tevez and Messi spearhead the Argentina attack at the last two Olympics and has expressed confidence that next year’s competition will be an important stepping stone for the next generation of top footballers.
While former England captain David Beckham is being tipped to lead the Great Britain team tilt at gold at London 2012 and Lille midfielder Joe Cole is keen to take part, young up-and-coming players from around the world will head to the United Kingdom, including Brazilian ace Neymar.
There may have been misgiving about the validity of football’s place at the Olympics, but Lord Coe was adamant it will aid the development of rising stars as he helped launch the sale of tickets for football matches up and down England as part of London 2012.
“I went to the Olympic final in Athens just as a fan and I watched Argentina against Paraguay in the final and Carlos Tevez was playing, basically making his international debut and Lionel Messi played in the 2008 final in Beijing,” Coe told Goal.com.
“So there is an extraordinary opportunity for young players and a lot of countries do use the Olympic tournament as a way of giving young players that tournament experience when it is probably less important in a way for them than their European or continental championships or even a World Cup.
“It is a very good opportunity for players to actually understand the nature of knock-out competitions at international level and there aren’t that many opportunities to do that.
“If you look in the way a lot of the South American and European national sides use that as a way for young players to cut their teeth in an international arena."
Lord Coe extolled the virtues of Olympics football during a visit to Newcastle’s St James’ Park stadium which will host eight matches next September.
He also reassured Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson over the value of the competition following the Scot’s claim that those who figure at Euro 2012 must not take part in the Olympics.
Young United players Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are being tipped to represent team GB, while goalkeeper David De Gea is expected to play for Spain.
Lord Coe revealed he has discussed the issue with the United boss, and is convinced the experience will be beneficial.
He added: “Actually Alex is a believer in Olympic football and I have spoken to him about it. That is very clearly Alex wearing his Manchester United, Premier League manager’s hat and I know some managers will inevitably do so.
“But this is about prioritising. There are a lot of players that would like to play in the Olympic Games and there are a lot of managers that think it is an important part of the development of a player.”
By Rob Stewart
Olympics chief Lord Coe has predicted that next year’s sporting spectacular will provide the ideal stage for future football superstars to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez.
| Bet: | Returns: | Argentina £11.80 | Draw £65.00 | Ecuador £150.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Argentina £12.50 | Draw £55.00 | Ecuador £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Argentina £12.22 | Draw £60.00 | Ecuador £130.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Argentina £12.00 | Draw £65.00 | Ecuador £130.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Argentina £12.00 | Draw £56.00 | Ecuador £140.00 |
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Lord Coe, the head of London 2012, has seen Tevez and Messi spearhead the Argentina attack at the last two Olympics and has expressed confidence that next year’s competition will be an important stepping stone for the next generation of top footballers.
While former England captain David Beckham is being tipped to lead the Great Britain team tilt at gold at London 2012 and Lille midfielder Joe Cole is keen to take part, young up-and-coming players from around the world will head to the United Kingdom, including Brazilian ace Neymar.
There may have been misgiving about the validity of football’s place at the Olympics, but Lord Coe was adamant it will aid the development of rising stars as he helped launch the sale of tickets for football matches up and down England as part of London 2012.
“I went to the Olympic final in Athens just as a fan and I watched Argentina against Paraguay in the final and Carlos Tevez was playing, basically making his international debut and Lionel Messi played in the 2008 final in Beijing,” Coe told Goal.com.
“So there is an extraordinary opportunity for young players and a lot of countries do use the Olympic tournament as a way of giving young players that tournament experience when it is probably less important in a way for them than their European or continental championships or even a World Cup.
“It is a very good opportunity for players to actually understand the nature of knock-out competitions at international level and there aren’t that many opportunities to do that.
“If you look in the way a lot of the South American and European national sides use that as a way for young players to cut their teeth in an international arena."
Lord Coe extolled the virtues of Olympics football during a visit to Newcastle’s St James’ Park stadium which will host eight matches next September.
He also reassured Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson over the value of the competition following the Scot’s claim that those who figure at Euro 2012 must not take part in the Olympics.
Young United players Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are being tipped to represent team GB, while goalkeeper David De Gea is expected to play for Spain.
Lord Coe revealed he has discussed the issue with the United boss, and is convinced the experience will be beneficial.
He added: “Actually Alex is a believer in Olympic football and I have spoken to him about it. That is very clearly Alex wearing his Manchester United, Premier League manager’s hat and I know some managers will inevitably do so.
“But this is about prioritising. There are a lot of players that would like to play in the Olympic Games and there are a lot of managers that think it is an important part of the development of a player.”
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Argentina - Ecuador
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Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
22:00 BST
Some more from 'WELBZ': "To get my first England goal in that way, obviously I'm really delighted and it's a massive honour.
"I'm just really looking to build on that performance and get more games under my belt and more goals.
"It's something I've been waiting for for a long time. I've had a few caps under my belt and one or two starts. So, just to get the goal today, I'm really delighted."
"I'm just really looking to build on that performance and get more games under my belt and more goals.
"It's something I've been waiting for for a long time. I've had a few caps under my belt and one or two starts. So, just to get the goal today, I'm really delighted."
21:50 BST
And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
21:49 BST
So, judging from those tweets, people aren't too confident on Portugal qualifying from their group. Who will qualify from each group? Let me know on Twitter.
21:38 BST
And it's now 3-1 to Turkey! An own goal from Pepe and we're into time added on. Do people think Portugal will qualify from their group?
21:34 BST
Into the final few minutes with Portugal still 2-1 down to Turkey. Cristiano Ronaldo missed his second ever penalty for Portugal earlier on.
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