Food For Thought: Should Juan Sebastian Veron Return To Europe?

Should Juan Sebastian Veron Return From His European Exile?

Players playing in the Argentine domestic league are categorized into the following: a)young, budding 'New Maradonas' on the verge of moving to Europe, b)not so old but not so young failed 'New Maradonas' who couldn’t make it to Europe and c)old veterans who are past their prime and have returned from Europe. Juan Sebastian Veron seemingly belongs to category c, a 34-year-old midfielder whose best years were spent in Italy with once-upon-a-time scudetto winning Lazio side.

Veron's return to his old club Estudiantes in 2006 was supposed to be the final stretch of a career that had promised a lot and delivered a lot too but these days Veron is in the form of his life. In just three years Juan Sebastian Veron has accomplished what the Pincharratas have been attempting to do for decades.

In 2006 the Argentine international led his love-club to their first Argentine championship in 23 heavily limping years and two years later inspired them to the final of the Copa Sudamericana, South America's version of the UEFA Cup (now of course reframed as the Europa League). This year Veron spearheaded Estudiantes's fight against the odds in the Copa Libertadores and actually ended their 39-year wait for a continental title.

The Argentine press speculates that Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti is so impressed with his club’s former midfielder than he made a call and invited him to return to the Nerazzurri. Champions League is like the Holy Grail for Moratti and the lure of winning the most coveted club competition might be tempting for Veron. Of course, then there's the unfinished business: Veron’s failure in England earned him some rather harsh ridicule and the Argentine international wouldn't have forgotten that.

At 34 Veron seems like a rejuvenated veteran and seems ready for Europe. Again.

Yet in Europe he wouldn't get the same affection as he gets at Estudiantes and his place in the Argentine national squad could be in jeopardy should he fail to sustain his momentum there. Albicelestes coach Diego Armando Maradona has assured that Veron will play a significant role in the World Cup qualifiers but in perhaps the most talented national side in the world (yes, maybe even more talented than Spain) Veron isn't irreplaceable.

Can AC Milan Win The Champions League?

Once-upon-a-time best player in the world Ronaldinho claims that AC Milan want to win the Champions League but do they have the resources to do so? 

Take one look at the squad of the 'genuine' contenders for next season's European Cup (okay, it's too early but you know the usual suspects, don't you?) and you wouldn't put Milan in your top five.

As things stand, FC Barcelona are still the team to beat in Europe, Real Madrid should be the second favourites, Manchester United have been severely weakened with the departure of their talisman (aka CR7-turned-CR9) but still have a certain Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, Chelsea and Liverpool are strong as ever, Arsenal reached the semi-finals last season even with an injury-plagued squad, Juventus have strengthened and Inter Milan need just one player (a world class playmaker) to click in Europe.

As for Milan, they appear to lack several things in several departments. Injuries notwithstanding, Leonard needs to fix his defence as a unit; in the creative department, Ronaldinho desperately needs to reinvent himself or Milan could play with no one creating anything from the middle of the park and Alexandre Pato needs a complimentary partner upfront. A Kaka-less Milan is half the side it was last season and are being said to be the third favourites to win the scudetto next season after Inter Milan and Juventus.

Of course, the Champions League is a different kind of competition but without a strong squad you cannot win it; a 2005 Liverpool triumph is as much legendary as rare. Milan do have some legendary names - Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Ronaldinho - but they are either off form, injured or gone fishing.

Oh, and not getting any younger either.

Subhankar Mondal