The Pumas, who always save their best for World Cups in France, are the highest-ranked team in their half of the draw
As the World Cup returns to France, Argentina arrive with an unprecedented level of expectation as the highest-ranked team on their half of the draw. They will deservedly go into their opening match against a misfiring England in Marseille on Saturday as favourites.It is all a far cry from the team that travelled in 1999 with only five full-time professionals in their ranks and seeking to improve on a solitary win in three previous World Cup campaigns.
“I was 26, I had just finished my degree and I was working for a big sportswear company, playing amateur rugby. Most of us were students. My routine would involve going to university for three hours in the morning, then working a full day and squeezing in training and gym in the evening from 7pm until 10.30pm.
“And it was not just me. That run gave us the chance to go to Europe to start playing against the best week in, week out. Until then, we would play a couple of games a year against the top teams but it would be a case of amateurs against professionals.”
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