Michael Schumacher training with the Argentine national team (1998)
On the AFA grounds in Ezeiza, Daniel Passarella’s orders echoed. It was April 1998 and his team had already qualified directly for the World Cup in France. He was preparing for a final tour before flying to French soil, with Israel, Ireland and Brazil as technical stops. Suddenly, a stranger threw strange words into the air: “Guten morgen” (“good morning” in German).
You may be interested in: Controversy on German TV with Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife for fear that she will break a “gentlemen’s agreement” that protects Michael’s health
Michael Schumacher himself, days away from racing in the Argentine Grand Prix in Formula 1, showed up at the Albiceleste complex with the idea of sharing a training session with the national team footballers.
It was the German himself who demanded from his entourage (made up of a dozen men including security, close friends and members of Ferrari) that he wanted time in their schedule to put on his shorts and kick the ball for a while. Since he landed in Ezeiza, they negotiated with several large clubs the possibility of him participating in training, but due to scheduling and infrastructure issues, the Argentine national team turned out to be the best option. The announcement was made almost on the hour, perhaps that is why there was no massive media presence and audiovisual and photographic material was scarce.
You may be interested in: Alejandro Garnacho’s strong message amid rumors of a crisis with his girlfriend Eva García
Schumacher loved football and did not miss any opportunity to touch the ball that came his way. He was always invited to international star gatherings or charity matches. And, if his schedule permitted, he always gave a thumbs up. He declared himself a fan of the German Cologne FC and as a young man he had devotion for the emblematic German goalkeeper Harald Toni Schumacher, although on the field he stood as a winger, he did not like to put on gloves.
Daniel Passarella and Schumacher, in the crash that broke out at the Ezeiza Premises (Photo: @formula_stats)
The coaching staff led by Passarella was notified of the pilot’s visit and received him with open arms. Kaiser, a motorsports fan, had had a Ferrari Berlinetta 350 when he played in Italy and from there he had become a fan of the team with which Schumacher competed after leaving Jordan and Benetton. Sergio Berti and Pablo Cavallero (nicknamed Meteoro) were the footballers who were most mobilized by the unexpected presence due to their predilection for racing.
You may be interested: The Argentine Under 23 team rescued a draw on the hour against Paraguay in its debut in the Pre-Olympic qualifying for Paris 2024
Alejandro Sabella (field assistant) said a few words in English and Passarella appealed to Italian, although the designated translator that day was Rodolfo Cardoso, a midfielder who had been playing in the Bundesliga for almost ten years. The former Estudiantes was the one who explained the modality of the exercises and ordered and helped Schumi throughout the work session.
Those who were present that day remember its simplicity and simplicity. He changed in the same locker room where the players were, he brought his own clothing and had only one request: to wear a bib to cover the Adidas brand because he had signed a contract with Nike.
It was the epilogue, the moment of relaxation. And Passarella outlined a green space located behind the old building on the property to carry out a picado (informal soccer). It was in small spaces, 9 against 9. Schumacher stood as the right pointer and the coach placed Cardoso on his team, who spoke to him constantly in German.
Standing from left to right: Eduardo Bongiovanni (Press Coordinator of National Teams), Arsenian, Gallego, Sabella, Seveso, Sergio Berti, Passarella, Pablo Cavallero and Pizzarotti // Sitting from left to right: Carlos Peralta (Utility Player), Marcelo Delgado , Leonardo Astrada, Schumacher, Marcelo Gallardo, Diego Cagna, Germán Burgos and Rodolfo Cardoso
Marcelo Gallardo, Leonardo Astrada, Mono Burgos, Chelo Delgado and Diego Cagna, among others, participated. In addition, members of the coaching staff joined, including Américo Gallego. Without losing his tricks, Tolo (Passarella’s collaborator) stood up in defense and shouted when he saw that Schumacher dared to throw two curses, one after the other: “Cardoso, tell this guy to stop throwing curses because I’m going to kill him! ”. Laughter erupted from everyone’s mouths.
After scoring a couple of goals and sweating for a while, Schumi took a couple of photos with the coaching staff. Not everyone had cell phones and those who had this technological innovation did not have a camera and that is why the graphic material is scarce. The days of selfies were far away. But there was a third period. “He scored two goals, you saw it, you had the chance to see it. It was fun,” Passarella said in front of the cameras and microphones.
They gave Schumacher the complete National Team outfit and he reciprocated the offering: he handed out Ferrari t-shirts with his name and the number 3 (with which he raced) and signed autographs to everyone who came to ask him for it, in addition to doing so at the dress. “Germans are usually dry, but he came across as a very given guy. He was desperate to play football,” witnesses recall.
Schumi with his wife Corinna Betsch with the then Argentine president Carlos Saúl Menem in the Olivos presidential mansion (REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian)
After lunch and a chat with Pelusa Cardoso, Schumacher said goodbye. Three days later, he climbed to the top step of the podium at the Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez, in what was his first victory of the 1998 season (he would achieve six wins in total to place second in the overall standings behind the Finn Mika Häkkinen).
The Argentine players could not follow the race live because they were in Israel, preparing for a friendly in Jerusalem against the host team. Later they had another in Dublin with Ireland and finally a last one with Brazil in Rio de Janeiro (that historic 1-0 at the Maracaná with a goal from Piojo López).
However, when in the Albiceleste bunker they saw images of the race on television and saw Schumacher opening the champagne, there was an uproar and fists clenched high as if they had scored a goal.