The former U-20 world champion underlines the importance of Argentinian fans for the country's national teams
Sorin still dreams of more success for La Albiceleste, "in this case at the U-20 World Cup"
The former left-back and FIFA Legend says he is "thankful for football and the sport as a whole" On the eve of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™️ and, as part of the Football Unites the World campaign, Juan Pablo Sorin, a world champion in this age group with Argentina in 1995, chatted to FIFA.com. The FIFA Legend, who also competed at the FIFA World Cup with the senior national team, spoke about how football unites Argentina’s fans and the importance that this massive support has for the players whenever they pull on the jersey. Sorin is also convinced that the passionate home fans will contribute to what he is sure will be a real spectacle in the stadiums during this World Cup. "The Argentina fans are crucial to the senior and youth teams. They unite and come in droves and make themselves heard, and their support is felt by the players on the pitch. They were indispensable during the last FIFA World Cup," Sorin said, referring to the role played by the thousands of Argentinians who travelled to Qatar to witness his country’s unforgettable world title last December.
The former Albiceleste captain and veteran of the Korea/Japan 2002 and Germany 2006 World Cups said that the FIFA Fan Award won by his country’s supporters at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022™ was entirely merited "not only because of the sheer number that went to Qatar despite the problems back in Argentina, but also for the originality of their songs and chants, their positivity and passion, which is typical of Argentinians".
Reflecting on his own experience as a former U-20 world champion, Sorin says he still dreams of glories like he did as a child, but that now those dreams involve younger generations of players: "Football changed everything for me and it’s been fuelling my dreams since I was very young. Even now, I still have dreams... albeit for my colleagues and for the new players. Right now, it’s for the U-20 World Cup, just as it was with senior national team before that."
The former star of River Plate, Juventus, Cruzeiro and Villarreal, to name just a few, says he is "thankful for football and the sport as whole", which is why he always tries to contribute to the sport from wherever he happens to be. During this FIFA U-20 World Cup, Juampi, as he is known, will be "cheering on our players" and honouring those who have taken Argentinian football to the very top, starting out with world youth titles.
"I’ll always hold football in high regard, along with all the top players we've had. Fortunately, two of the best ever are Argentinian: Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi," Sorin concluded.
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