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Complete package Veron at center of Argentina's World Cup bidPosted: Tuesday April 30, 2002 12:13 PMBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- The last time Argentina had a national team this good, it was led by Diego Maradona, a man capable of performing magic on the field. At the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan, the task of leading the pre-tournament favorite to its third victory in soccer's grandest competition will fall to Juan Sebastian Veron. Maradona says Argentina couldn't be in safer hands. "There are few footballers you can say have everything but, yes, Veron is one," said Maradona, who led Argentina to the title at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and a second-place finish four years later in Italy. But is the Manchester United midfielder worried by the pressure? Or by group rivals England, Nigeria and Sweden? Not a bit. "It's certain it will be hard work," the 26-year-old says. "But I am sure we're going to get through. "We can see ourselves in the World Cup final. It will be difficult for anybody to beat us." Soccer has always been part of Veron's life. The child of a classy first division soccer player who once scored the winning Intercontinental Cup goal against his son's current team, Veron was a soccer mascot by the time he was 2 years old. By 5, he was playing in junior leagues. He worked his way through the youth sides of Estudiantes -- his father's team -- and once scored 13 goals in a single game. He made his senior side debut at age 19. In early 1996, Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning coach Carlos Bilardo took him to Boca Juniors. Veron excelled there, playing alongside Maradona at one of South America's top clubs. But he also became one of Argentina's most talked-about figures, known for a love of fast cars, rock music and nightclubs. Always part rebel, he proudly sports a tattoo of Che Guevara on his right arm. But his soccer never suffered, and in June 1996 he made his debut for Argentina's national side. A month later, Sampdoria coach Sven-Goran Eriksson paid US$6 million to bring him to Italy. Veron struggled at first, but after two years in Genoa he was considered one of Serie A's best young talents. In 1998, he moved to Parma for US$20 million, winning the Super Cup and the UEFA Cup in 12 months. In July 1999, Eriksson paid US$30 million to again buy his protege, this time taking the midfielder to Lazio. Veron enjoyed a spectacular 18 months at the Rome club, leading Lazio to Europe's Cup Winners' Cup in his first season and to the Italian league and cup double in the 2000-01 campaign. By the time Manchester United smashed the English transfer record last July, paying US$40 million, Veron had turned himself into a cult hero in Rome. When Veron went back to Rome to watch Lazio in February, the fans gave him a standing ovation, then spent 90 minutes chanting his name. With Veron struggling a little in Manchester, rumors abound that he may head back to Lazio. Gradually, Veron has become the centerpiece of the Argentina team. At the 1998 World Cup, Veron was the only Argentine to make it onto FIFA's All-Star squad. When Marcelo Bielsa took over as Argentina coach, Veron was put in the attacking midfield role he relishes. His drive, mobility, fast footwork, quick thinking and one-touch precision passing has won him the highest of accolades from Bilardo. "I rate him as the best player in the world," the former coach said recently.
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