Italy

Mauro Zarate: Hot on the Heels of Messi

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Tom Oldfield

Lionel Messi is one of the finest footballers on the planet. A huge star for Barcelona and Argentina, he has captured the La Liga title twice and triumphed in the Champions League as well as appearing in the 2006 World Cup.

His mesmeric dribbling and keen eye for goal make him every defender’s nightmare and Messi, a product of the Barcelona youth system, is set to dominate the world stage for years to come.

Meanwhile, another skilful young Argentine is taking a different route to the top. Meet Mauro Zarate.

Zarate’s career to date has already taken a number of unexpected twists and turns. The Lazio hotshot is still just 21 and is tipped to be a big star as he matures into a more complete player.

Football runs in the family for the youngster, whose father and grandfather both played professionally. Therefore, Zarate was exposed to the highs and lows of the sport from a young age. And there was nothing he wanted more than to follow in their footsteps.

He thought he had got his big break when he joined Al-Sadd in Qatar in the summer of 2007 after impressing in his homeland for Velez Sarsfield. But it proved to be a short stay as Zarate was destined for a bigger audience in the Premier League. The Argentine agreed to a loan spell at Birmingham City, who were embroiled in a relegation battle, and this move added to his experience and toughened him up.

Manager Alex McLeish was delighted with the deal and told the club’s website: “We’re excited about bringing the player in on loan. He’s one of the Argentinean young guns that were successful in the U-20s championship last year. I’ve heard really good things about him. It’s a kind of bonus type signing and one that we hope can turn games.

“He’s one of those guys that’s comfortable with a ball and caressing a ball, like a lot of South Americans who seem to have those traits. I don’t want to compare him to the Argentinean greats but he’s of that mould. He has great balance and mobility.”

Zarate himself admitted his surprise at Al-Sadd agreeing to the loan deal so soon after signing him but he vowed to be a big hit in the Midlands.

He told The Daily Mail: “I knew the chance to come to Birmingham was very important and, after speaking to Al-Sadd a few times and pushing them for a move to England, they agreed to let me go and here is the result. Birmingham were the first one to come in for me and the ones that pushed the hardest to get me out of there.

“I am very happy with my choice. Maybe here I have the chance to play more regularly and it’s great to be in the team now. I am a big fan of the English game. I am here to make my mark and make people remember me. I will give my best to make sure that happens.

“My message to supporters is that the Blues will stay in the Premier League. I will do everything I can to help.”

The Blues struggled but Zarate was a bright spot on some gloomy days at St. Andrew’s. His dribbling ability was regularly displayed, leaving opposition defences back-pedalling furiously, as well as his eye for a pass.

He struck three goals in his first two starts, including a brilliant double against Manchester City, and was an instant fan favourite. He ended the campaign with four goals to his name but Birmingham failed to beat the drop and Zarate’s time in England came to a disappointing end.

Rumours then emerged of a permanent switch to Portsmouth but in the end nothing materialised and the Argentine headed instead for Lazio in Serie A on another loan deal.

Just like at St. Andrew’s, Zarate wasted no time in showing his class. He bagged two goals on his league debut and has continued to chip in with vital contributions. A dip in form saw him slightly out of favour but nonetheless Lazio have revealed their desire to make the move permanent and confirmation of the deal is rumoured to be imminent.

Lazio though will have to move fast as it is rumoured Jose Mourinho’s Inter have their eyes on Zarate. They will also have to smooth over reported differences between the Argentine and his coach Delio Rossi. Differences that led Zarate to confront the coach about being substituted on 18th January against Juventus when a fiery row ensued.

Zarate gives Lazio a genuine goal threat and if he fulfils his vast potential he can expect to become a regular in the Argentine national team. If he does break into the Argentina starting eleven then the €20M Al-Saad are demanding for the 21 year-old will seem chicken-feed.

Watch this space because Zarate, like Messi, is a young man in a hurry and he has the ability to win football’s biggest prizes.