Marcelo: Messi the world´s best

Brazil left-back Marcelo has heaped praise on Lionel Messi, saying the Argentine is the best player in the world.

Brazil will tackle Argentina on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back from Sunday’s 2-0 defeat against Mexico, which ended a run of eight consecutive victories.

Despite meeting Messi several times throughout the season at club level, Marcelo says there is always a special feeling to playing against the Barcelona star – whom he rated higher than his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Right now, Messi is the best player in the world and it is a pleasure to play against him,” Marcelo told Globoesporte.

“We will see what happens, if we can mark him. Argentina are more attacking [than Mexico], so we will have space to play.

“But we need to be careful, because they can score goals easily. You cannot talk about one or two players only, but about their entire team.

“But we also have several good players and we will try to secure a good result.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/marcelo-messi-the-world%c2%b4s-best/95847/

Schelotto at home in adopted Italy

Argentina-born Ezequiel Schelotto said his commitment to the Italian national team should not be called into question.

The Atalanta winger’s inclusion in Cesare Prandelli’s preliminary squad for Euro 2012 raised a few eyebrows, not least because the 22-year-old was born in Buenos Aires.

However, Schelotto said while he has not forgotten his roots, he now feels Italian and would like to think that he proved as much during his seven outings for his adopted nation’s Under-21 side.

“My dream is to make my debut and to play with the Nazionale,” he told reporters at a press conference on Monday.

“I was born in Argentina and do not forget my country, but Italy has given and helped me and my family so much.

“I dedicate this call-up to my family, to the guys at Atalanta and to my great-grandfather, who was from Cogoleto. I did not know him but if it were not for him, I would not have a passport and the Italian shirt.

“I feel Italian and I will defend this shirt forever. I know the national anthem, I will sing it, as I already have done two years ago with the Under-21 side.”

Schelotto was a surprise inclusion in Prandelli’s provisional squad as he had never before been called up by the former Fiorentina boss, but the right-sided midfielder is coming off the back of a fine season in Bergamo.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/schelotto-at-home-in-adopted-italy/95065/