Diminutive star all set to take the Chileans to new heights

“The club president offered me a better contract so I didn’t feel the need to migrate to Europe,†was his candid reply. On the other hand, Villaroel hasn’t decided on his future club. His contract expires with Santiago Wanderers this year. When the Maradona-Pele debate cropped up, the Chilean star cleverly avoided a “rough tackle†and delivered a delectable through pass.

“Both are legends in their own right. Pele played during an era when he had so many gifted players around him. Maradona played his football a lot later. I don’t think its fare to compare and rate the two.†Surprisingly for a mid-fielder, Villaroel rated Chile’s high-profile striking duo of Zamorano and Salas as his favourite players.

“Za-Sa had put the country on the world soccer map. I also like Gabriel Batistuta simply because of his style.†But at the same time he described Ronaldo as an “extra-ordinary but inconsistent playerâ€.

On Chile’s disappointing run in the World Cup qualifiers, where they are currently placed seventh with 10 points from as many matches, Villaroel still feels that Chile would be able to qualify for the final rounds in Japan and South Korea.“But we must win our away match against Peru in March,†he added. After the Peru match, Chile square up with former champions Uruguay (April), Paraguay (June) and Bolivia (August). It must be mentioned here that Chile’s only high point thus far in the qualifiers has been an upset 3-0 win over Brazil.Villaroel, who has played 24 matches since his debut against Venezuela in 1996, usually operates from the right channel of the pitch. Be it at the rearguard or at the mid-field he performs with grit and determination.

Against Uzbekistan yesterday, Villaroel, who started off as a right-back, had to dug deep his resources to support the unimpressive mid-field. An utility player that he is, Villaroel is the source of inspiration for his teammates. Despite Chile’s lacklustre show in the Sahara Cup, Villaroel, like his illustrious coach, is still optimistic that his side will definitely live up to their expectations.

The team’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan yesterday is no indication of the team’s true abilities, he agrees. “But we are capable of a lot more. We are here to win the tournament.â€