David Trezeguet: Don’t Cry For Me Argentina

David Trezeguet has to be considered one of the top three French attackers to be produced in over two decades. His name will synonymously be linked to the French 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Cup winning teams who are thought of as one of the greatest teams to ever compete on the world stage.

More importantly, with the two other big name attackers who dawned the blue shirt from his generation, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka, he might be mentioned in the same breath as some of the top attacking talent ever to be produced by a country.

That being said, when Trezeguet and Henry, both were being linked to clubs in the United Arab Emirates and US respectively, it didn’t seem like that much of a surprise. After all, that’s what all world famous footballers do, they retire and live the easy life exciting scores of fans in a warm and sunny place. Or metropolis in Henry’s case.

But as Henry has proven to be wholly committed to the MLS and Anelka recently signing with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, it came as a surprise when rumors emerged that Trezeguet quit the UAE club he signed with, Baniyas SC, in favor of a move to Argentinian powerhouse River Plate.

River Plate currently sit second in Argentina’s Primera B Nacional and have suffered a long drawn out fight to reclaim their place among the country’s football royalty. Trezeguet’s experience with suffering through a club’s demotion once before, when Juventus was demoted to Serie B, should prove instrumental in making a triumphant return to the top flight.

So why River Plate instead of the UAE?

It’s simple really, David Trezeguet was born in Argentina and his father played there professionally in the 1970’s. As a young boy, David supported River Plate before moving back to France in his teens to develop his football and further his career.

The strong connection he has always had with the country of his birth and boyhood club have seemed to persuade his move on a level that far outweighs monetary gain. The pride and passion of representing one of Argentina’s most famous clubs during their most desperate hours proved to be the deciding factor.

“River are going through a very difficult time …. I want to be part of the history [of their recovery]” Trezeguet said.

So in a world of sensational big money moves, David Beckham, CR7, Samuel Eto’o and Man City Money Bags, it is refreshing to see that sometimes football is ruled by greater passions.