Fabricio Coloccini: National pride is most important thing for Argentinian footballers

Nov 16 2008 By Gavin Berry

FABRICIO COLOCCINI insists there's no greater honour for Argentina's footballers than national pride and warned Scotland they'll be out to prove it at Hampden.

The Newcastle star backed up his claim by revealing he sacrificed the chance to make it at AC Milan to chase a World Cup dream for his country.

The defender is in no doubt the famous blue and white shirt of Argentina means more than any global club and the passion will be burning against Scotland on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old, who joined Milan as a teenager in 1999 but only played four times before switching to Spanish side Deportivo, said: "For Argentinians the national team means everything.

"The jersey deserves our respect and we must do everything for it.

"At AC Milan it was difficult for me because I ended up having to choose between Milan and Argentina.

"Carlo Ancelotti said he wanted me to stay, that I was young and would make it there. But the World Cup was coming up and it was such a massive thing for me and thankfully I went to Germany in 2006."

Now Coloccini has the chance to be part of something special as a new era kicks off at Hampden with Diego Maradona in charge.

And he is in no doubt what the legendary figure has to do to bring success back to a nation blessed with great players but without a world title since Maradona's heyday as a player.

Coloccini said: "He needs to teach us all the qualities that made him such a great footballer - his courage, his bravery and his imagination. We have some of the world's best players but must have more faith in our abilities."

Coloccini is hoping his visit to Glasgow goes better than his last trip to the city when he was tormented by Celtic's Aiden McGeady (below).

The defender got the runaround as he made one of his few appearances for Milan in the Champions League in 2004 and at one point even clapped McGeady for an audacious piece of skill. He said: "It was a difficult night for us and McGeady in particular played well and in the end we were happy to draw 0-0.

"So I know the sort of atmosphere we will face in Glasgow and I will make sure the rest of the team know as well."