Verón: Messi is just as important as Riquelme

In an interview today on TyC Sports, Juan Sebastian Verón talked about the Riquelme-Messi controversy.

"I was surprised to hear what was said. I never saw any tensions, never saw a fight. I'm sure there are differences between them, mostly because of the age difference, differences of opinion but the objective is to win."

"These type of issues always come to light when players who are stars in their club teams, get together in the national team. I don't know what is being sought with this. Representing the country needs to be what everyone desires but it doesn't seem to be that way."

"Since I've been on the national team Grondona has always been inside the locker room before and after the games. and he talks with everyone not just with Messi."

"There are always going to be these kind of disputes because it involves two strong personalities, with influence within the team. In 1986 there was a dispute between Passarella and Maradona and we ended up world champions."

"Messi is just as important as Riquelme. Everyone is needed, Messi, Riquelme, Tevez, Aguero and the rest."

"Riquelme is not a complicated person, he doesn't speak to one person and not to another or does so behind anyone's back. He's a calm person, I don't see him as a trouble maker."

---------------

An interesting side note, Verón, who is recovering from an injury did not travel to Brasil with the team while Demichelis and Cambiasso, who are also not eligible to play against Brasil did accompany the team.

It seems to me that someone with the experience that Verón has and who is looked at as one of the leaders on the team should have traveled to Brasil to provide moral support and more importantly to provide leadership and help in maintaining team unity at this critical moment when the team is dealing with the explosive news of the Riquelme-Messi infighting and all the controversy that has ensued.