South American Dispatch: Boca’s Birthday Boy Still On Goal Trail As Brazilian Bid Goes In For Riquelme

Corinthians call for the old guard

Corinthians’ manager Mano Menezes is hoping to take advantage of being the first Brazilian side to qualify for the 2010 Copa Libertadores by straightening his squad early.

The side from São Paulo secured their route into South America’s top competition when they picked up their third Copa do Brasil title way back in July.

Entry to the tournament makes Corinthians an attractive prospect to any player wishing to have a shot at winning the Copa Libertadores.

It was the goals of veteran striker Ronaldo which helped Time do Povo towards victory in the Copa do Brazil. The three times FIFA World Player of the Year netted 10 times in his 14 appearances in the domestic cup.

Now his manager has revealed that he will not shy away from picking up further players who, despite having a few miles on the clock, still have the quality to improve the team.

Names such as Riquelme, Roberto Carlos, Iarley and Tcheco have been connected with the club in recent weeks and although none are spring chickens, they do all have one thing in common, quality.

“There’s a need to seek reinforcements,” Menezes said.

“We are looking for players of class and experience. After all, the Copa Libertadores is not a competition where you learn how to win during the game.”

Despite the manager being on the look out for new signings, he also acknowledges that he must trim his current squad of 33 players to be able to bring in any fresh faces.

He also reminded his team that they were the ones who got them into next year’s Copa Libertadores and he is willing to take another look before whipping out the chequebook.

Menezes stressed that he will give any youngster who shows form the chance to play, no matter which experienced veteran he brings in to play in their position.

“There is no agreement for the elder members of the squad to play,” Menezes added.

“I want competition for places, it produces better performances. Everyone needs to up their game to stay in the team.”

Feliz cumpleaños el Titan

Martin Palermo, the recent hero of Argentina’s qualification to South Africa 2010, turns 36 years old today.

The player freely admits that he has not always been held in high esteem in his homeland but is enjoying the recent adulation which has come his way after his late winner against Peru last month.

“The goal against Peru and the fans chanting my name was a great feeling,” Palermo said.

“I owed those fans, after missing those three penalties in the 1999 Copa America.”

After seeing one spot-kick come back off the crossbar, blazing another over and seeing a third saved against Colombia, the player is very much flavour of the month after a decade in the international wilderness.

It remains to be seen whether he will be boarding a plane from Buenos Aires to Cape Town next year but while he keeps banging in the goals for club and country, he will stay in Diego Maradona’s plans.

Right now, the player remains focused on getting Boca Juniors into the 2010 Copa Libertadores. It is proving to be no easy task, however, but vital goals, such as his header from 25-yards out against Vélez Sársfield, continue to keep the dream alive at La Bombonera.

He also kept up his impressive run of goals against River Plate when he netted in the latest edition of the Superclasico match to earn his side a point.

With the goals still coming, the player feels he has another couple of years left in him as he retains the hunger to win trophies with Boca and Argentina.

Carlos makes his move on Argentine presidency

The current general manager of the Argentine national team Carlos Bilardo has officially announced his intention to become president of AFA.

The present chief of the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino Julio Grondona has held the post for the past 30 years and is unlikely to enjoy hearing his employee’s intentions to replace him.

However, Bilardo has said that he hopes he can rely on Grondona’s support when he stands for election to the post. The 1986 World Cup winning manager hopes that it can be a peaceful transition between himself and the long serving Grondona.

“I want to be president of AFA and they know it,” Bilardo said.

“I hope that Grondona will help me, like Blatter helped Platini in Europe.”

Bilardo also used his announcement to run for AFA’s presidency to once again state that his relationship with Diego Maradona is healthy and that they are enjoying working together.

The general manager pointed out that the hug between the two men at the final whistle in Montevideo last month “was sincere”.

“If we failed to qualify, we would have slipped years behind other countries,” Bilardo said.

“How could you explain not qualifying to young people, its unthinkable.”

Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com