Maradona Speaks

Diego Maradona has spoken in Ole (Spanish link), mainly about Argentina's loss to Brazil in the Copa America final.

He is disappointed that Argentina have once again failed at the crucial point in an international tournament, remarking that they had no "physical nor psychic answers to Brazil". He feels that Argentina need to look at the way European teams like Italy, Germany and Spain play and maybe incorporate some of that into their play if they are to be succesful in future tournaments.

On the retirement of Roberto Ayala from international football, Maradona thinks that he was a great player and that no blame should be attested to him for the Copa America final defeat. He also seems to hint that Ayala felt a lack of support from national team boss Alfio Basile, which is why he has decided to retire.

Maradona states that Juan Riquelme had a great tournament, and that he wishes for Riquelme to stay with Boca Juniors next season, despite various offers from European sides.

He remarks of Lionel Messi, "whenever he touched the ball, it felt that he was going to do something important" and goes on to describe him as a "phenomenon" for whom the sky is the limit. Maradona is also proud that Messi carries round a signed picture of him in his wallet and idolises him.

When asked who else in the Argentina team impressed him during the Copa America, he singles out Javier Mascherano, saying that "Mascherano is always where the ball is" and likening him to Matias Almeyda.

He is then asked what he thought of Ever Banega's performances during the U-20 World Cup, Maradona responds that he was very impressed with the way Banega played. He says that he always seems to know what to do in every situation, although he does perhaps need to calm down a bit.

Finally, when asked who he would support out of Barcelona and Real Madrid next season, he responded that he couldn't seperate them, as he is fans of both Javier Saviola and Fernando Gago at Real and Lionel Messi at Barcelona. He feels Barcelona will prehaps be a little stronger due to the purchase of Thierry Henry.

Weekend Transfer Gossip

First off, The News of the World reports that Newcastle have made an enquiry about Barcelona's Ronaldinho. The Catalan club are thought to have quoted a figure of no less than £58m. Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley is apparently keen to bring a 'marquee' player to St James's Park, so it will be interesting to see how this one develops.

Edmilson is, once again, linked to Newcastle in the same article.

Argentine defender Roberto Ayala and performed a shock u-turn by buying himself out of his recently signed Villarreal contract and signing for Real Zaragoza instead. Sky Sports report that he will sign a three year deal with the club after the Copa America.

Marca (Spanish link) report that officials from Galatasaray are in Madrid to discuss with Real the possible transfer of Julio Baptista to the Turkish club.

Marca (Spanish link) also report that Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is looking to sign Thiago Motta from Barcelona.

Boca Juniors manager Miguel Angel Rosso has spoken in Ole (Spanish link) about his hopes that the club can retain Juan Riquelme for next season. He believes the departure of Daniel Diaz to Getafe may give Boca the necessary finance to purchase the player from Villarreal on a permanant basis.

Finally, the Gazetta Della Sport (Italian link) report that Amantino Mancini's agent Gilmar Veloz is to hold talks with Roma on Monday over an improved deal for the Brazilian. If the talks do not go as planned, it seems that Liverpool are waiting in the wings to offer somewhere in the region of 15million Euros for the winger.