It’s about time someone steps up. That’s what all Argentines have been impatiently saying for some time.
Their country’s national team boasts one of the richest squads in the World Cup, but since the championship side of 1986, it hasn’t been able to reproduce the kind of success that has developed its history in soccer’s ultimate competition.
One reason is that besides all-time high scorer Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina hasn’t been able to produce a top-quality striker who performs on the big occasion.
Some may argue that Lionel Messi, Rodrigo Palacio and Carlos Tévez all promise to make an impact on the world stage, but there is one striker in particular who has the responsibility to put Argentina back on the map.
Hernán Crespo, a veteran of two World Cups, is hoping the third time’s the charm. He’ll turn 31 during the World Cup and is well aware that this is probably his last opportunity to stamp his name in the history books.
We recently caught up with a confident Crespo at the Argentine Federation headquarters in Buenos Aires to discuss his past World Cup experiences, the nation’s prospects and his hunger to succeed in Germany.
SI.com: Will your third World Cup be the most special?
Crespo: All World Cups are special. This time it’s different for me because of my age and because I’ve played in other World Cups, so these things don’t surprise me. I think I will enjoy the World Cup much more than the previous ones this time because I’ve already played them and know exactly what to expect. But the World Cup is always something special for everyone and I will try to make the most of the opportunity.
SI.com: Being one of the veterans, do you think you will have more responsibilities than in the past?
Crespo: Yes, I’ll have more responsibilities. I can’t hide the fact that I’ve already played in two World Cups and am more experienced than the other guys, and I will definitely have more responsibilities than before both on and off the pitch. I will try my best to help the younger guys in the group, but the decision whether I play or not is up to the manager. The important thing is that Argentina does well.
SI.com: Argentina is in what many regard as the Group of Death (with Ivory Coast, Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro).
Crespo: Obviously, I wouldn’t have chosen our group if I had the choice, as we have to face three difficult sides. But the situation is what it is and we must confront it. But at the same time we are calm, knowing that our World Cup starts with the first match.
SI.com: Do you think the pressure will be less if Argentina reaches the second round?
Crespo: We must see — first there is the group phase. We must take it slowly, first thinking about the Ivory Coast game, and then going match by match.
SI.com: With so much talent up front — including six high-profile strikers — do you expect to start against the Ivory Coast?
Crespo: I am confident that I will play the first match, and hopefully if everything goes well it will mean that I will stay on the pitch for the next games. But I’m aware that we have six good strikers and everyone can play. So you can’t afford to relax.
SI.com: You will face your Chelsea attacking partner Didier Drogba in the first match. What can you tell me about him?
Crespo: He is a very strong player and he likes physical contact. I think Ivory Coast’s attack depends a lot on him. We must be aware of him, but the most important part is to try to stop those who supply him with the ball.
SI.com: Describe the pressure that Argentine players must deal with at the World Cup.
Crespo: Maybe someone who experiences it for the first time takes it differently. I try to enjoy it. I try to enjoy certain matches. I’ve reached a point in my career and in my life where I am more mature when confronting these situations. It is definitely lots of pressure, but I try to stay as calm as possible and try to enjoy it.
SI.com: How does it feel to represent a soccer nation with so much World Cup history?
Crespo: Lots of people dream of becoming a professional and to play a World Cup, so it makes me very proud. You see the way people look up to you and it makes you want to perform to the best of your ability. It’s great to be part of this, but we aren’t extraterrestrials that feel nothing; on the contrary, we find ourselves in a privileged position, we enjoy this and know we have a huge responsibility.
SI.com: The only thing on the mind of most Argentines is the World Cup, especially because of the extensive media coverage. Can it get to your head?
Crespo: It makes me happy, but I try not to watch too much television because it can make you go crazy; if you look at the real dimension of things and its significance, it can scare you.
SI.com: Argentina was eliminated in the group stage in ’02, a huge surprise. Is there a chance history will repeat itself?
Crespo: Hopefully it won’t. Every World Cup has its own story. No one knows what would have happened if we had passed the group stage, just if one of those thousands of goal-scoring opportunities against Sweden went into the back of the net.
SI.com: You were ranked No. 1 in ’02 and were favored to win the whole thing. Will it be an advantage that you aren’t coming into the tournament as favorites this time around?
Crespo: I don’t know if one feels more or less comfortable. At the end of the day, that label doesn’t reflect on the outcome of who will be the eventual world champions.
SI.com: But Argentina has a rich history in this competition and has one of the strongest squads. Doesn’t that make you a contender?
Crespo: Yes, we can be considered contenders. But the favorite is Brazil because they deserve it. After all, they are defending champions, the last Copa America champions and the last Confederations Cup champions. They have won important titles that make them the firm favorite. They have excellent, high-quality players, but still anything can happen. One morning one can wake up badly while the other can wake up well. There’s a very fine line between the top teams.
Gregory Sica
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