Vélez Sarsfield president Fabián Berlanga stated that former club player Matías Soulé should face disciplinary measures such as being barred from wearing the Argentina national team’s number 10 jersey or captaining the squad, following the manner of his departure from the Liniers club. cadena3.com reported the remarks, which came during an interview at the Estadio Más Monumental ahead of an international fixture between Argentina and Burkina Faso.
Fabián Berlanga Targets Matías Soulé Over Exit
During the conversation with journalists Mauricio Coccolo and Diego Borinsky, Berlanga addressed the situation of youth prospects in Argentine football. The Vélez president argued that departures involving players leaving without transfer fees set a poor precedent for academy development. He singled out Soulé when asked if the forward should wear the iconic number 10 shirt for the Albiceleste, answering directly that the player should not receive the honor.
Berlanga asserted that Soulé debería tener un castigo ejemplificador
—translating to an exemplary punishment—suggesting restrictions on captaincy and shirt numbers at the international level. No son buenos ejemplos,
Berlanga added during the broadcast. He also pointed to the influence of player representatives, stating that clubs struggle against agents who occasionally act in bad faith when negotiating youth contracts.
Berlanga Identifies Thiago Almada for Argentina Number 10 Role
Away from the controversy surrounding outgoing youth talent, Berlanga turned his attention toward established internationals and current academy products who represent the future of the national team. The club president highlighted Valentín Gómez and Nicolás Otamendi. When discussing creative midfielders, Berlanga identified Thiago Almada as his preferred choice to inherit the number 10 role for Argentina at the upcoming World Cup tournament.
Almada, who developed through the Vélez academy before moving abroad, remains a central figure in the club’s pride regarding youth development. Berlanga emphasized that despite the frustration of losing players like Soulé to free transfers, the talent pipeline in Liniers continues to produce elite prospects for international selection.
Technical Staff Confirmed for Vélez Sarsfield
Addressing stability within the first-team setup, Berlanga clarified the immediate future of the club’s coaching staff. He confirmed that the current technical team se quedarán en el club
and expressed optimism about their ongoing work. Estamos felices con ellos y esperanzados para lo que viene,
Berlanga told Cadena 3, extinguishing speculation regarding potential managerial changes at the José Amalfitani Stadium.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Vélez Controversy
Who made the remarks regarding Matías Soulé?
Fabián Berlanga, the president of Vélez Sarsfield, made the statements during an interview with Cadena 3 at the Estadio Más Monumental.
What specific restrictions did Berlanga proposed?
The Vélez president suggested that Soulé should not be allowed to wear the Argentina number 10 shirt or serve as team captain as an exemplary consequence of how he left the club.
Which other players did Berlanga mention during the interview?
Berlanga discussed Valentín Gómez, Nicolás Otamendi, and named Thiago Almada as his preferred candidate for Argentina’s number 10 shirt at the next World Cup.
What was the president’s stance on the Vélez coaching staff?
Berlanga confirmed that the current technical staff will remain at the club, stating that officials are happy with their performance and hopeful for the future.
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