South American Futbol - Libertadores, Sudamericana, World Cup 2010

Verón fulfills his pledge

Okay, Juan Sebastián Verón, perhaps Major League Soccer supporters will now pardon you.

The 39-year wait for an international championship by Estudiantes de La Plata was finally ended on Wednesday night, nearly two years to the day after the Argentine star abruptly abandoned D.C. United. In extremely dramatic circumstances, the Argentine national team player led his club to victory in the final of the 50th Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League.


At the intimidating Mineiro stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Verón orchestrated Estudiantes’ comeback victory over Cruzeiro 2-1 in front of 70,000 spectators after they were held to a 0-0 draw at home in La Plata, Argentina, the previous week. Verón contributed to both of his team’s goals and was chosen as the game’s best player following yet another illustrative display of why he remains one of the game’s top playmakers.


Verón returned to Estudiantes in 2006 after spending ten mostly successful years in Europe’s top leagues with teams like Manchester United, Lazio, Inter Milan, and Chelsea. Winning South America’s premier club competition wasn’t just a historical accomplishment for the club; it was also a goal for Verón.


Verón pursued his childhood dream of aiding his beloved Estudiantes return to the pinnacle of South American soccer, much like his former Manchester United teammate David Beckham, who joined the Los Angeles Galaxy to restore his reputation outside the glitz and glamour of European soccer.


For the express goal of aiding Estudiantes in regaining its identity after nearly 40 years with little to show, Verón, unlike the majority, forwent the chance to continue playing for a top European club (along with the lucrative income). “La Brujita” chose Estudiantes over Argentine powerhouses River Plate or Boca Juniors while knowing that doing so would be dangerous given the club’s financial situation as well as the continuing issues with Argentine soccer. He was also fully aware that such a decision may jeopardize his future with the national team.


Verón, who is now 34, has often admitted that his ultimate ambition with Estudiantes was to win the Libertadores before he decided to hang up his boots. Seba was able to realize his longtime desire, much like his father, Juan Ramón Verón, who was a member of the great Estudiantes team that won three straight Libertadores championships from 1968 to 1970.


It is quite amazing what Verón has accomplished with Estudiantes over the past three years; he has essentially revitalized the team by himself. Verón was instrumental in Estudiantes’ surprising playoff triumph over Boca which led to them winning the Argentine Championship for the first time in 23 years in his first season back.


Verón opted to stay faithful to Estudiantes as he set his sights on winning international silverware with the club, despite receiving interest from several other teams, notably D.C. United, who was willing to pay him a salary of more than $3 million per year.


The Copa Sudamericana, South America’s second-tier club competition after the Libertadores, was won by the squad he led last year. But Brazilian team Internacional eliminated Estudiantes. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Verón ultimately won the award for South American Footballer of the Year for 2008 thanks to a strong season that further cemented his reputation as a top-tier talent.


Verón saw the potential of the Estudiantes team and, despite initial indications that he might be forced to leave the organization due to a significant internal disagreement, he chose to stay. As a result, his team received a ton of high-caliber reinforcements in time for the Libertadores.


The title run by Estudiantes was incredible, and Verón was largely responsible for the achievement. Estudiantes advanced to the final by defeating Uruguayan clubs Defensor Sporting and Nacional as well as Libertad of Paraguay after finishing the group stage in second place behind Cruzeiro.


Because of Cruzeiro’s strong recent play and the fact that Verón had suffered a calf injury in the semifinal, Los Pincharratas entered the match against Cruzeiro as the obvious underdogs. Verón was wounded and bruised as the first leg of the championships ended in a dismal 0-0 tie at home.


The second leg in Brazil appeared to be much bleaker. Early in the second half, Estudiantes fell behind thanks to a thunderbolt from Henrique, and it appeared as though Verón’s dream was soon fading. The Argentines, however, turned it around with goals from attackers Gastón Fernández and Mauro Boselli owing to his solid leadership. Verón played exceptionally well, earning the respect of the 5,000 traveling Estudiantes fans with his creation of both goals, hard labor in the middle of the field, and key ball interceptions.


One of the biggest surprises in Copa Libertadores history was pulled off by Verón-led Estudiantes, who rallied in the second half to defeat a squad that had won all six of its home matches in the competition (including a 3-0 triumph against Los Pincharratas in the group stage). Verón is the most significant player in Estudiantes’ history, according to coach Alejandro Sabella, who made the statement following Wednesday’s triumph.


Verón & Co. receive entrance for the FIFA Club World Cup in December as South American champions, which this year moves from Japan to Abu Dhabi. A title showdown versus European champion Barcelona is conceivable with the ticket. Verón has further things to look forward to, such as being named to Argentina’s team for the next World Cup in South Africa, which would be his third appearance.


However, both historic occurrences are months distant. Verón will bask in the pleasure of achieving his boyhood ambition, making his father proud, and securing his legacy today, tomorrow, and for weeks and months to come. La Brujita accomplished his goal of making a difference despite being thousands of kilometers from Europe’s top leagues. Beckham, take that.

 

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