Schelotto Vows Return to Argentina

Guillermo Barros Schelotto was named Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player for both the 2008 season and the MLS Cup final, but the Argentine midfielder believes his future lies back in the country of his birth.

"I will return to either Boca or Gimnasia as either a player or a coach," Schelotto said. His comments were reported in El Dia, the Argentine news site.

Schelotto is regarded with great affection by many in Argentina for his years of exemplary performances for both the legendary Boca Juniors and Gimnasia de La Plata, his first professional team.

More than a few foreign stars who come to play in MLS for the latter stages of their careers stay on to continue their careers in the U.S.

Mo Johnston is one notable example. The Scot played for the Kansas City Wizards, then went on to coach the New York Red Bulls and later Toronto FC, where he is now the team's general manager.

However, it does not appear that Guille, as Schelotto is known, plans on developing such a longterm professional relationship with MLS.

In fact, his playing role with the Columbus Crew may be in jeopardy, as the team has yet to come to terms with the creative playmaker. Team ownership has yet to decide whether or not pay the designated player rate (more than $400,000 yearly) that Schelotto would require.

--Andrea Canales, Goal.com