Osvaldo Ardiles: "I really liked how Messi played the World Cup, but I liked more that he was happy"

Osvaldo Cesar Ardiles

.

They call it the

.

He was born on August 3, 1952 in the charming Juniors neighborhood of Córdoba capital.

Before being a soccer player, and one of the best midfielders in the history of Argentina, his father forced him to study.

He tried to be a lawyer.

But ball could more.

He played in Juniors, Instituto, Belgrano and in the unforgettable Huracán del Flaco Menotti, who amazed with his game half a century ago.

with the National Team that conquered the world in 1978 at the hands, again, of Menotti.

He shared unforgettable moments with Ricardo Julio Villa in England.

Before, Loco Saldaño, Beto Beltrán, Ricardo Cherini and Mario Kempes had done it at the Institute of his love.

He had a brief stay at PSG, another PSG very different from the one it is now, during the Malvinas War.

And a step through Japan.

He was also the protagonist, with a bicycle that all the boys wanted to imitate, in "Escape to Victory", a Hollywood film in which he shared the bill with Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone and Pelé.

His life is also a movie.

A very good.

 He is married, has two children and six grandchildren.

At the age of 70, he no longer believes that he will return to live in Argentina.

Ricardo Julio Villa and Osvaldo Ardiles were at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam to watch the game between Tottenham and Ajax.

(Photo: Twitter @osvaldooardiles)

He wants to talk Ardiles.

It's seven in the morning here in Córdoba and El

's invitation

to do an interview.

He literally talked about everything.

Of his life, of English football, of the 78 World Cup in the middle of the dictatorship, of

and, obviously, of

that a little while ago was crowned world champion in

with

as the star and with a Cordovan side as

and another midfielder like

, an Ardiles of the 21st century.

And with another Cordovan, like

, whom he entertained on his return to Tottenham, his Tottenham, after the unforgettable end of the year in the Middle East.

The first thing Ardiles wants to talk about -because, of course, world champions talk about what they want- is his

, which returned to the First Division after many years and is the protagonist of the Professional League.

No need to ask him.

is leaving

, who first put up a fight against the damn coronavirus that had him mistreated and that at the end of 2022, in the middle of the World Cup, underwent heart surgery.

As in the days of his tireless flyer,

is going forward.

—The promotion of Institute was an enormous happiness.

And I am looking at the possibility of traveling to my Córdoba to hug me with my friends and celebrate this achievement.

They told me that the field is beautiful and I intend to sit down again in the white-and-red stalls and enjoy a game.

I know that all the seats were sold and there is a record of members.

There I started as a player, despite the fact that I played in the Juniors and made my debut as a boy in the baby football on Channel 12. My brother Manuel tells me everything about the club because he lives in Córdoba and is a fan

"Why did you choose London then?"

—I did not choose where I was going to live.

Things happened like that.

I finished my career as a footballer in 1989 and got a coaching job in England.

Almost without realizing it, the years passed, the boys grew up and I kept my house in London.

Then I went to Japan.

Time went by and it became very difficult for me to return to Argentina.

And the grandchildren arrived...

Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, Pelé and Osvaldo Ardiles in "Escape to Victory"

—How is the Ardiles clan made up?

Silvia, my wife.

My sons Pablo and Federico.

And my grandchildren: Sofia, Sebastián, Benjamin, Isabella, Lucia and Maximiliano.

I take advantage and want to say hello to the friends who stayed with me in Córdoba like Commisso, Annelli, Olmedo or

Beltran...

—Speaking of old friends or colleagues... What did you think of Passarella's return to the Monumental?

—I heard that that return was very nice.

But I know there are people who don't forget River's descent.

I want to remember and emphasize that Daniel was our great captain of the 1978 National Team. For having lifted the cup, he is among the best Argentine players in history.

He was a strong defender and he took penalties very well.

—Did the military dictatorship have any influence on that World Cup?

"We had nothing to do with it.

We didn't know what was happening.

That squad played soccer and that was what Menotti asked us to do.

We never thought about that.

I had a bad time there in England during the Falklands War.

That's why I went to play in France.

But nothing ever happened to me.

I always say that I am a football player and now I live in London.

I never mixed politics with sports.

And I'm a happy guy.

Osvaldo Ardiles, when he was Champion of the UEFA Cup with Tottenham Hotspurs.

—

—Yes, obviously he thought that the National Team could be world champion.

The record of games without losing, winning the Copa América, made her a candidate.

But, of course, he was not the only candidate because there were other very strong teams, including France.

And that's how the final happened.

Brazil and England were also very strong, but I always had confidence in Argentina.

Even when they lost to Saudi Arabia, I thought the same thing, that they could win the World Cup, because a very good team doesn't stop being a very good team because of a loss.

—What do you think of the arrival of Enzo Fernández to English football?

Do you think he will adapt quickly?

—I know that Chelsea paid 121 million euros and that he still hasn't exploded as a player, since he's only had a handful of games.

The fans will demand it.

That is why you have to be prudent.

Because Enzo will have to adapt not only as a player but also socially.

He costs, but I think he will succeed if he reaches the level he had in the Argentine National Team.

—And what do you think of Dibu Martínez?

—He's been here a long time and people know him well.

Also, he adjusted well.

His level is very high.

He has a lot of experience and is very comfortable at Aston Villa.

I also found out that he donated the gloves he used at the World Cup to raise funds for kids in need.

I really congratulate you.

In the World Cup he was one of the highest points of the Argentine National Team.

His level was exceptional.

—And we have Julián Alvarez, who is from Córdoba like you and recently arrived at Manchester City...

—I like that kid.

Because he has a lot of attitude and also has a goal.

I hope he does well and that he succeeds in football.

And hopefully he will also continue in the Selection.

—Since we are talking about the players of the National Team, how did Messi see it in the World Cup in Qatar?

—Leo was criticized a lot in Argentina because they said he played well for Barcelona and not for the National Team.

Luckily he came out world champion and he covered the mouths of many.

Now I see it comfortable.

He became the team leader.

I liked how much he played, but I liked more that he was happy.

I hope that, beyond the fact that he is already 35 years old, he will continue on this path.

Osvaldo Ardiles, in 2016. Photo: EFE

—Do you see Messi playing in the Premier League?

Do you think he could adapt to the game of English football?

—Messi would have been a sensation in England.

It could have been, of course.

Although, be careful, it can still be because the last word has not been said.

You never know.

I think Messi is the best player in the world and he can play anywhere.

Here, in Argentina, in Spain, in Japan... I not only believe that he is one of the best players in the world, but I call him one of the three wise men along with Pelé and Maradona.

Then there are many princes like Cruyff, Ronaldo or Zidane.

But no other is up to these three monsters.

—How did you experience the World Cup final?

—The play that I suffered the most was Dibu Martínez's save in the last minute of extra time.

Later, when the penalties passed and we beat France, I hugged myself tight with my family.

The truth is that I was very excited.

—And that recently you had heart surgery.

—Yes, the doctor always tells me that: "Take care of your emotions, Osvaldo."

But now I'm fine and, furthermore, I couldn't miss this joy from the title of the Argentine National Team.

Long live Messi's Selection!

Cordova.

_

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