I think it's time for the club captain to have his own thread here. Have to find time later to write a proper profile though...

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Rodriguez goal one-in-a-lifetime, El Tri fans hope
By Mark Zeigler
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
June 3, 2008

You can look up the video clip on You Tube, or find it at any number of soccer Web sites.

Or you can ask any Mexico fan, who has the replay indelibly burned into his mind's hard drive.

It is eight minutes into overtime in the second round of the 2006 World Cup. Mexico and Argentina are tied 1-1 at Zentralstadion in Leipzig, Germany. Argentina's Juan Pablo Sorin has the ball on the left side and lofts a pass across the field to midfielder Maxi Rodriguez, positioned at the right corner of the penalty area.

Rodriguez chests the ball toward the middle of the field and, before it hits the ground, swivels his hips to launch a looping, bending, swerving left-footed shot toward the far corner of the net.

Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez dives, flailing his gloved left hand above his head. He . . . can't . . . quite . . . reach . . . it.

The ball dips into the net.

Argentina 2, Mexico 1.

?If he tried it 20 times, he'd miss it 20 times,? Mexico forward Francisco ?Kikin? Fonseca said afterward. ?That goal was from another planet.?

Mexico and Argentina play again tomorrow night, this time in a friendly, this time at sold-out Qualcomm Stadium. Rodriguez is on the Argentina roster and could face Mexico for the first time since, and should he take the field a collective shudder, no doubt, will ripple through Mission Valley.

He is equally reviled and respected by El Tri faithful ? reviled for ruining arguably Mexico's best performance at a World Cup played on foreign soil, respected because he did it with such a moment of pure genius. A dagger into the heart, sure, but at least it was a shimmering, ornamental dagger.

?No, it wasn't planned,? Rodriguez said in Spanish yesterday between Argentina's two practice sessions at the La Jolla Nomad's training facility. ?Maybe I was thinking of doing something else and then all of a sudden I decided to just kick it. You never know what's going to happen. Those are decisions you make in milliseconds.

?I could just as easily have sent it into the stands.?

Rodriguez is right-footed. He hit the shot with his left, which even he admits has little use beyond ?getting on the bus.?

Has he tried to do it again? Could he do it again?

?No matter how many times you try it during a match or training, it's never going to come out the same,? said Rodriguez, 27, who captains Spanish club Atletico Madrid. ?It's practically impossible.?

Midfielder Gonzalo Pineda was the Mexico player closest to Rodriguez when he received the pass from Sorin.

?It makes me sad, honestly, to think about that,? said Pineda, one of eight Mexico players on tomorrow's roster who were on the field two years ago. ?It was a sad moment, but we've moved past that.?

The goal was instantly declared a soccer classic, and a FIFA Internet poll later crowned it the goal of the 2006 World Cup. It moved the Argentines into the quarterfinals, where they lost to host Germany in a penalty shootout. And it ended El Tri's World Cup in the second round for an agonizing fourth straight time.

Lost in the sheer brilliance of Rodriguez's handiwork was the foundation beneath it. The play actually started 23 seconds earlier and at the opposite end of the field, with Pineda being dispossessed of the ball.

Three quick passes, and Argentina's Lionel Messi was racing down the right sideline. Messi passed to Juan Roman Riquelme, who passed back to Messi, who swung it wide left to Sorin.

But it is Rodriguez who is credited with the spectacular result, and who is saddled with the burden of trying to replicate it every time he touches the ball. And he is not considered a natural goal scorer, rather a hardworking midfielder known for his consistency and grit.

His nickname: ?La Fiera.? The Beast.

He tore knee ligaments three months after the World Cup and missed most of the 2006-07 season with Atletico Madrid. He returned to pre-injury form only recently, earning a recall to the national team ahead of World Cup qualifiers later this month against Ecuador and Brazil.

?I will always have that goal in my mind,? Rodriguez said. ?It was a very beautiful goal. It's one of those goals that will always be in your memory bank, and one of those goals that is hard to repeat.?

Mexico fans can only hope.

From: SignOnSanDiego

Today he married his girlfriend Gabriela in his hometown Rosario

All Argentinians from Atlético & other players are at the wedding.

Maxi: “We have to demand a little more from ourselves each year”

He’s enjoying his final days of vacation and is far, far away from Madrid, but Maxi Rodríguez is already thinking about getting back to work for Javier Aguirre. A new season is about to start, and the team will be facing new challenges like the Champions League and working to compete at the highest level. While he considers what the new campaign will be like, the Atlético de Madrid captain is collaborating with the Hogar de Raquel (‘Rachel’s Home’), a welcome centre in his hometown of Rosario, which, thanks to his intervention, will be able to count on the help of the Foundation and other Spanish and Argentinean institutions which are committed to remodelling and improving the facilities in which many underprivileged people are cared for.

Maxi is really looking forward to beginning the season. He has always been this way, but in this case “even more because what we achieved last season implies a higher level of demand and because the Club is making a great effort to put together a good team. We have to be aware of that and we have to demand a little more from ourselves each year. We made it to Champions last season and we played in the UEFA Cup, which we hadn’t done for many years, so this year we have to move up another step.”

The captain is optimistic and believes that the team is meeting the conditions necessary to reach new goals. “I hope that we have something to celebrate in the form of a title. We’ll see what we can do in the Copa del Rey, although sometimes you don’t know because if we had been more consistent last season we would have been fighting for La Liga. Now, with the investments that can be made in new signings and with the base that remains from last year, which is solid and very good, we could begin to battle for the Championship, which is what every player hopes for,” he confessed.

One of the key dates for Atlético de Madrid will be the play-in qualifying tie for the Champions League. ‘Kun’ Agüero won’t be able to play in the first-leg match (12/13 August), but Maxi is keeping his calm and pointed out that “Agüero is a very important player for us, but the good thing is that we’ve managed to be a team that isn’t based around one, two or three players. What we have is a squad and a group. Big things are achieved by solid groups. Let’s not get confused, because one, two or three players are not going to give you a championship. There are crucial footballers, who have lots of experience at the Club, but we’re all important.”

What the Atlético ‘11’ expects from this team “is rewarded for our work and for the players who join us this year have enough experience to wear the jersey of Atlético de Madrid. It’s not easy to play at the Vicente Calderón and at Atlético because the team from the Manzanares (River) is a Club that demands a lot from you every day. You have to have footballers with a strong character, who are able to move this project forward. When they arrive, they’ll receive all of our support in the locker room so that they feel comfortable and help us win titles.”

As the team awaits the drawing on 1 August, many people have begun to speculate about the possible opponents in the Champions League qualifier, as they might be matched up with a very tough team such as Liverpool. This would mean seeing Fernando Torres at the Vicente Calderón once again. Maxi smiled imagining the situation, but stated that “Fernando is a friend. We’ve already talked about this possibility. Those are things that happen in football. Hopefully we won’t cross paths with Liverpool and that we each follow our own path and meet up in the semi-finals of the final, because that would be really nice.”

Facing very strong team starting with the first match is not going to be easy, but Maxi wants people to remain calm, because experience has shown that “choosing doesn’t help you at all because when we were to face Bolton, everyone was more or less satisfied and then we ended up losing. Football gives you many surprises, but I believe that if we’re play well, we can beat anybody.”

Maxi knows that this is signing time, but he wanted to stay on the side of that dynamic and simply left it clear that “whoever comes will have to earn a spot. The basic thing is that for whoever comes, to come to contribute to the team. The new players will have to get used to those who are already here. They have to be clear about that.”

From: clubatleticodemadrid.com

Maxi Rodríguez: “Hopefully Atlético can do something important in the Copa del Rey”

Captain of Atlético, he’s not only valued and loved in Madrid and in his native Argentina. In Mexico he’s also very well thought of, which is something that was apparent at his press conference where the Mexican media again attended to him in droves. Maxi Rodríquez gathered together a large number of professionals from the press, avid to find out his impressions regarding different topics.

To begin with, and even though two years have already passed, the Mexican media hasn’t forgotten the incredible goal (declared the best of the tournament) that sent Mexico packing their bags for home in the last World Cup in Germany. Maxi, who was well prepared, responded to the question with a smile on his face, commenting between chuckles that “I didn’t expect to be asked about that… I’ll repeat that those are circumstances given in football, but obviously it’s a goal that will stay in my memory. Mexico had a great team in that tournament and we did too, and in the end the match was decided by one goal. Anyway, luck was on our side.”

Maxi doesn’t know “how I’ll be welcomed, but I’ll repeat that those are things that happen in football. Hopefully I’ll be well received at Estadio Azul despite that goal and the important thing is for one to be remembered for the good things that you’ve done.”

Regarding the role that Argentina might play out in the Olympic Games in Beijing, he’s clear that “we’re facing the games with the intention of winning the gold medal, as the Albiceleste always goes out to win. We have a great team and that’s the clear goal.”

The match that Atlético de Madrid is to play against Cruz Azul has created lots of expectation in the country’s capital and the Atleti captain, who the fans would like to see play, affirmed that “I’ll play if the manager decides to put me in. We’ve been training for only a few days and we’re lacking many things, and not only on a physical level, to be in the best shape. We’re focused on getting the rhythm necessary to face the Champions League qualifying round in the best shape possible. Obviously it’s better to start winning the first matches to gain confidence and that’s our goal here. I’m not ready to play ninety minutes, but I’ll play however long the coach tells me to.”

The midfielder believes that on this tour “we’ll get better, as there are player who aren’t used to playing at altitude. We’re working very hard and we know that we’re going to face one of the best team in Mexico, as they have good players.”

On the other hand, in spite of the toughness of the tour, he considered that “this tour will help the team out a lot. By playing at altitude, the level of demand is higher, but when we get back to Madrid we’ll be able to notice the work because we’ll be faster, besides having already had many training sessions. This is about starting to gain a competitive rhythm. We want to grow football-wise and physically on this tour, in addition to providing a spectacle.”

Later, focusing on Atlético de Madrid, he stated that “the goal is to pass the Champions League qualifier and make it to the group stage. Regarding La Liga, we want to repeat last year’s finish and again be amongst the top four. Hopefully we can do something important in the Copa del Rey and play in the big final. What is clear is that the squad aspires to do something more than we did last season.”

The Atlético captain thinks that “last season the team lacked consistency, as we played good matches and poor matches. The objective is to be more consistent. The signings that have come have lots of skill and prestige, which is something that’s very important for the group. I believe that we’re going to be fine in all of our lines and hopefully, I insist, we can be more consistent at all times. The goal is for people to see an aggressive Atlético de Madrid which has the clear goal of winning every game.”

Logically, he was asked his opinion on ’El Vasco’ Aguirre, and emphasized that “he has his stamp and tries to impose it on the team. He likes the team to play well and for the ball to move on the ground. He’s a coach with spirit and he’s a winner. He demands a lot, but I believe that we have a very competitive squad. In short, he’s a coach who doesn’t let you rest.”

Maxi, a teammate and a good friend of his, didn’t hesitate to say that “Kun Agüero will stay with us. We’re not nervous regarding this subject. What we understand is that all of us who are here on the roster right now are going to continue.”

And to finish, as he’s already said many times, he stressed that “being captain of Atlético de Madrid is something for me to be proud of, as it’s a Club of great prestige. Fernando Torres was very important to the team and the organization, and now I wear the armband with lots of pride.”

From: clubatleticodemadrid.com

Maxi will play his 200th league game against his old club Espanyol.

Maxi Rodríguez: “Now you can see a mature Atlético de Madrid with personality”

About to turn 28 years-old on 2 January, Maxi Rodríguez has become one of the pillars of the new Atlético de Madrid. A team that is once again facing off against the best teams in Europe after a long absence. Bearing the captain’s armband for the second consecutive year, the Argentine international wanted to review the current state of affairs for the organization’s official web page.

With his normal sensibility, Maxi acknowledged that this Atlético de Madrid is different, although it has kept the same essence: growing and improving every day. “Right now I see a very mature team, with personality. After working with the same manager for three years, you can tell that the team has identified itself with him and his ideas. We have slowly become aware of everything that we generate and of everything that we’re capable of doing,” he confessed.

In spite of the setbacks in the first weeks of league play, the squad coached by Javier Aguirre has been able to straighten its path and little-by-little has been climbing positions in the table. “We had a little rough patch in La Liga at the beginning of the season. I think that several factors coincided: there were injuries, we had a small drop in the physical and mental aspects. Now the team has reach a very large maturity level, has a strong desire and is especially good mentally, which is vital for the player. You can see it on the pitch and we’re capable of setting the tone of the matches,” commented the Argentine footballer.

Honest and consistent both on and off the pitch, theatletico ‘11’ has been able to instill values to the team. For him, self-confidence and responsibility before an objective are signs of group identity. “One of the differences of the team this season compared to last season is the group work. We strengthened ourselves where we had a weakness, we’re strengthening all of our lines and we’re a solid unit,” he stated.

Concerning the line along which the team has to follow, the Atleti captain acknowledged that “The philosophy of the team right now is to try and keep a clean sheet and materialize the chances that we have. We’re aware of our offensive power and we know that sometimes we’re going to get scored on, and that’s why it’s crucial, as I stated earlier, to collaborate in defense.”

This philosophy has helped allow the squad to play a great role in the Champions League group stage against teams the stature of PSV, Olympique de Marseille or Liverpool. “Perhaps the good group stage that the team had in Champions surprised some people, especially in Europe, since Atlético de Madrid hadn’t played in this competition for a long time, but we weren’t surprised. We’re a tough opponent to beat with one of the best striking pairs in Europe,” he pointed out.

“Now that we’re in the Champions League round of 16, many people are talking about tough matches lying ahead for us, but I think that the most difficult match was the one we played in the qualifying tie against Schalke 04. We knew that if we were able to pass through we’d be in the knockout stage of this competition. Playing the group stage in which we were going to play several matches was easier, as we had the chance to slip up in some match. When we beat Schalke 04 things had to look good for us because we couldn’t wait for people to see us in Champions League,” he said.

In February, Atlético de Madrid will take on Oporto, a team that Maxi is sure won’t be a cake walk. “All of the teams that are in the round of 16 are tough to beat. Oporto was one of the possibilities and we got matched up with them. We know that we have to play very focused because they have lots of experience in this competition. In the end, the opponent is the least important thing because we’re the ones who have to play well and win,” he emphasized.

In spite of the club’s fine form at the moment, the Argentine footballer wants more and knows that “in order to continue growing we need more consistency. Sometimes we have very good games against what are considered to be grand teams and the following week you face one of the teams which, a priori, is considered worse and you lose. We can’t let that happen: we have to be consistent over the course of the year. Obviously you can have poor matches, but not many. When we achieve that, we’ll be ready to fight for the League Championship.”

“It’s true that in some matches we’ve lacked focus and that’s why we’ve been scored on in the opening minutes. We can’t let that happen to us, as if we keep the same attitude for 90 minutes, it’s very difficult for anyone to defeat us,” he commented.

Putting his humbleness on display, Maxi Rodríguez admitted that the team has great offensive power, but wants to stick up for all of his teammates who battle and work hard for 90 minutes to help get the ball into the back of the opponent’s goal. “The offensive power of the team is always highlighted, but you have to recognize that there are many games which are won by the work of the defense and the goalkeepers. We have two great netminders in goal and they’re showing it by getting lots of shutouts,” he assured.

“Forlán and Kun are the strikers and they are responsible for scoring goals, but other players such as Simão, Maniche or myself also have offensive capabilities and can free those two from that responsibility in some games. Whoever is playing has to help to score goals: also some goals have been work of the defense and that’s very good for the team. We all contribute at this Atlético”, he insisted.

Additionally, Maxi highlighted the quick adaptation and good understanding with the players who have joined the squad this season: “The new players who have arrived have adapted very quickly. It’s not easy to play at a big Club such as Atlético de Madrid, with all that it means, and all of them have done so magnificently. They’ve been able to latch on to what we were.”

Personally, the wide midfielder is in top form. He’s leading one of the grand clubs of Spanish football and embodies the values that represent the red-and-white colors like nobody else can. “I feel really good. I don’t think that I was completely physically fit because of the injury that I suffered two seasons ago and that’s what was worrying me the most. I feel really good this season, I got back into the national side, the team is winning, I can score goals… All of that influences your state of mind,” he said.

The ‘captain’ didn’t want to miss out on the chance to assess the Cup tie that the team will have to play against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. “We got the right team. If we’re able to get past this qualifying tie we’ll have a very good chance of getting to the final. As of today, it’s the team that is in best form, but I think that winning the round is feasible. If we’re able to win at home and not let them score any goals, the balance could fall on our side,” he stated.

To finish, and being one of the voices of authority in the organization, Maxi Rodríguez acknowledged that the institutional growth of the organization with the new Sports Complex and New Stadium will be unstoppable. “Those are two impressive projects and we’re all feeling the growth of the Club at an institutional level. The positive athletic course of the squad and the institutional growth that the Club is going through go hand-in-hand. When this is all coming to an end, Atlético de Madrid will surely have one of the best facilities in Europe. We all hope that this is accompanied by grand athletic success and that those of us who are here now will be able to experience it. Athletically, the goal is to get back to Champions League next year and, personally, I hope to continue enjoying everything that this Club is giving me, which is a lot,” he wrapped up.

From: clubatleticodemadrid.com

Maxi is one of the most underrated players in europe in my opinion. He is a genius.

He's excellent artisan, complete players, but lately I heard about his night life

He's a little bit lazy sometimes, not the best character for a captain.

Atletico Madrid Captain Maxi Set To Apologise For Outburst
Los Colchoneros’ Argentine captain will be looking to redeem himself after an uncharacteristic outburst during the weekend triumph over Barca.

Atletico Madrid skipper Maxi Rodriguez will hold a press conference after training today to apologise to club fans and team coach, Abel Resino, for his unsportsmanlike behaviour during Sunday’s 4-3 league win over Barcelona.

The Argentine winger was substituted in the 67th minute for Florent Sinama-Pongolle when the game was still tied at 2-2. The disgruntled captain hurled his armband to his deputy, Antonio Lopez, but it unfortunately fell to the ground.

He then proceeded to trudge off the field without greeting Resino, who was waiting for him on the touchline. It’s a sign of disrespect in the eyes of the fans, but he is hoping to get back on terms with a public apology.

This is the second case in successive games where Atleti’s key figures have acted up after being replaced. Just four days prior, in los Colchoneros’ Champions League clash with Porto, Sergio Aguero was taken off midway through the game and, although his actions were not as drastic, he refused to remain on the bench until the end of the game.

The club have yet to determine whether or not they will take any disciplinary measures. The squad, according to goalkeeper Leo Franco, have not yet had the chance to discuss the matter.

KS Leong, Goal.com

His outburst at least shows his desire to play. Not sure if it's a good thing though.

Same as I'm not sure if Resinos subs show: He's a strong character who isn't afraid of big players, or he's an arse whos trying to piss our players off.

I think a middle of this, we'll see if he has success with that.

Maxi sorry for Barcelona outburst

Maxi wants to stay at Atlético over June 2010

He said, that the change of the coach generated doubts at the team and that only a title will help the club to get better.

He is in charge for winning "this" title. He and his friends in the team. No one else!