Pablo César Aimar(born 3 November 1979) is an Argentine former professionalfootballerand current assistant coach of theArgentina national team.During his career, he played as anattacking midfielder.

Pablo Aimar
Aimar in 2017
Personal information
Full name Pablo César Aimar[1]
Date of birth (1979-11-03)3 November 1979(age 45)
Place of birth Río Cuarto,Argentina
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
Argentina U17(head coach)
Youth career
1985–1993 Estudiantes Río Cuarto
1993–1997 River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2000 River Plate 82 (21)
2001–2006 Valencia 162 (27)
2006–2008 Zaragoza 57 (5)
2008–2013 Benfica 107 (12)
2013–2014 Johor Darul Ta'zim 8 (2)
2015 River Plate 1 (0)
2018 Estudiantes Río Cuarto 0 (0)
Total 413 (67)
International career
1995 Argentina U17 6 (2)
1997 Argentina U20 7 (1)
1999–2009 Argentina 52 (8)
Managerial career
2017– Argentina U17
2018– Argentina(assistant)
Medal record
RepresentingArgentina(as player)
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner 1997 Malaysia
South American U-20 Championship
Winner 1997 Chile
Winner 1999 Argentina
FIFA Confederations Cup
Runner-up 2005 Germany
Copa América
Runner-up 2007 Venezuela
South American U-17 Championship
Runner-up 1995 Ecuador
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Third place 1995 Ecuador
RepresentingArgentina(as manager)
South American U-17 Championship
Winner 2019 Peru
RepresentingArgentina(as assistant manager)
FIFA World Cup
Winner 2022 Qatar
Copa América
Winner 2021 Brazil
Winner 2024 United States
Third place 2019 Brazil
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Winner 2022 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

After starting his senior career atRiver Platein 1996, Aimar amassedLa Ligatotals of 215 games and 32 goals over eight seasons withValenciaandZaragozafrom 2001 to 2008, before spending five years in Portugal withBenfica,winning a combined nine major titles with the three teams.

Aimar earned 52capsfor the Argentina senior team over ten years, representing the nation in twoFIFA World Cupsand twoCopa Américatournaments, as well as aFIFA Confederations Cup.He reached the final of the2005 Confederations Cupand the2007 Copa Américawith the Argentine national side.

In 2018, Aimar joined the Argentina national team as an assistant coach. During his tenure, the team won the2021 Copa América,the2022 Finalissima,the2022 World Cup,and the2024 Copa América.

Club career

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River Plate

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Aimar's football career begun in earnest when he was offered the chance to play forEstudiantes de Río Cuartoby youth coach Alfie Mercado.[2]He trained with the club's academy three times a week and it was there that he was spotted byRiver Platewho offered the chance to join their own academy.[2]Aimar's father initially prevented him from joining River as he felt he was too young to be playing football, but relented after managerDaniel Passarellapersonally asked him to allow his son to play.[2]Having turned down the opportunity to attend medical school to pursue a career in football, Aimar made his debut for River on 11 August 1996 againstColón.[3][4]His first goal for the club came on 20 February 1998 againstRosario Central.[3]Aimar lifted five titles with River between 1996 and 2000, scoring 21 goals and recording 28assistsin 82 league appearances for the club, with his final appearance coming on 17 December 2000 in a 3–2 loss toLanús.[2][3]

Valencia

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In January 2001, SpanishLa LigasideValenciasigned Aimar from River for aclub-recordfee of24 million (£13 million).[2][5]He made his debut for the club the following month againstManchester Unitedand drew praise from three-timeBallon d'OrwinnerJohan Cruyfffor his performance after the match.[2]The following weekend he scored on his La Liga debut, netting in a 2–0 away win overLas Palmas.[6]Aimar immediately became a key figure in Valencia's midfield underHéctor Cúperand helped the club reach the2001 UEFA Champions League final,where they lost toBayern Munichon penalties.[5]

In the season which followed, Cúper left forInternazionale,and was replaced byRafael Benítez.Aimar appeared in a total of 33 league games and scored 4 goals as Valencia were crowned2001–02 La Ligachampions for the first time in 31 years, ending as the club's third-highest goalscorer across all competitions for the season.[2][5]The season thereafter, Aimar jointly topped theChampions Leagueassists table alongsideRui CostaofMilanwith five assists to his name, this despite Valencia being eliminated at the quarter-final stage. The club endured further disappointment by ending the league season in fifth place.[2]

"Pablo is the only current footballer I'd pay to watch. He’s been the best player in Argentina over the last couple of years and is even more talented than Riquelme or Saviola.

Diego Maradonain a 2003 interview withWorld Soccer.[7]

The club's failures were soon forgotten, however, as Valencia completed a league andUEFA Cupdoublethe following season.[5]Despite making more than 30 appearances for the season and playing an influential role in the club's UEFA Cup triumph, Aimar was sidelined for large parts of the season in what was to set an injury-plagued tone to his career.[8]

Following a breakdown between Benítez and Valencia's sporting director Jesús García Pitarch, the former left his position at the club and was replaced by Italian managerClaudio Ranierifor the2004–05 season.A combination of injury concerns and tactical changes from the manager saw Aimar struggle under Ranieri and found himself being employed as a substitute more frequently than before.[2][5]The Italian departed the club in February and was replaced byAntonio López,who in turn was replaced byQuique Sánchez Floresfor the following season.[2]With Valencia in decline, Aimar decided to leave the club at the end of the2005–06 seasonhaving amassed over 200 appearances for the club over the course of five-and-a-half seasons.

Zaragoza

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In the summer of 2006, Aimar joined fellow top flight clubReal Zaragozaon a four-year deal for a reported fee of €11 million, with the club describing the deal as the most important signing in the club's history.[9]At Zaragoza, he was reunited with compatriot and former Valencia teammateRoberto Ayala,who himself had joined the club earlier in the month.[10]Aimar made his league debut on 27 August in a 2–3 away loss againstDeportivo de La Coruñaand went on to make 32 appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals and helping the club to a sixth-place finish in the league.[2]The following season was a disastrous one for Aimar and Zaragoza as the club, fraught with poor performances and financial mismanagement were relegated fromLa Liga.[11]Zaragoza's relegation saw Aimar bring an end to his time inAragon,having made 57 appearances during his two-season stay with the club. During his stint with Zaragoza, he obtaineddual-Spanish nationality,having lived in the country since 2001.[12]

Benfica

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Aimar playing forBenficain 2012

On 17 July 2008, Aimar signed a four-year contract with Portuguese sideBenficafor a fee of €6.5 million.[13]After struggling with injuries initially, he finished the campaign with a string of strong performances and was able to add aTaça da Ligatitle to his name.[2][14]

In the2009–10 season,Aimar was reunited with former River Plate teammateJavier Saviola,who was let go byReal Madridfollowing his own injury struggles.[14]The two combined as doubletrequartistato supportstrikerÓscar Cardozoalongside fellow ArgentineÁngel Di Maríaon the wing.[15]The quartet formed thePrimeira Liga's most dangerous attack, with Benfica scoring 78 goals on their way to a league and cup double.[2]

"I have never played with another player who knows where I'm going to be or just lifts his head knowing where I'm going to."

Javier Saviolaon his playing relationship with Aimar.[16]

Aimar had become a fan favourite at theEstádio da Luzbut injuries continued to plague him, and his game time reduced in the coming seasons. In spite of this, he helped the club to its third and fourth consecutive Taça da Liga titles.[2]On 6 June 2013, after 179 official appearances, 17 goals and 34 assists, Aimar announced he was leaving Benfica and thanked the club for "five wonderful years".[2][17]

Johor Darul Ta'zim

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On 7 August 2013, Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, the president of Malaysian clubJohor Darul Ta'zim,confirmed that Aimar had signed a two-year contract with the team.[18]Upon arrival, he became the highest paid player ever to feature in theMalaysia Super League.[19]He made his debut in the league six months after signing, in a 2–0 win againstPerak FA.[20]Prior to making his debut, Aimar had previously played at theLarkin Stadium,home of Johor, before with Argentina in the 1997 Youth World Cup.[20]He ultimately made 8 appearances for the club and scored two goals before a spate of injuries resulted in him being released on 21 April 2014.[21]Aimar did earn a champions medal for his time withJDT,though, as the club went on to lift theSuper Leaguetitle at the end of the season.

Return to River Plate

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On 5 January 2015, Aimar returned toRiver Platefor the club's pre-season training, stating that he would sign with the club only if he could deal with the physical demand after having undergone surgeries to his heel and not having played since leaving Johor Darul Ta’zim in April 2014.[22]On 31 May, he played as substitute in a home win againstRosario Centralin the Primera División.[23]Aimar announced his retirement on 14 July 2015 after River Plate coachMarcelo Gallardoinformed him that he was not included in the club's squad for the semi-final stage of theCopa Libertadores.Gallardo said Aimar was "suffering" and had struggled with injuries through the pre-season.[24]

Estudiantes de Río Cuarto

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On 16 January 2018, Aimar played in a friendly match for his youth clubEstudiantes de Río Cuarto.After the match, he announced that he would be joining the squad ahead of theCopa Argentinafixture againstSportivo Belgranoon 23 January, in order to fulfill his wish of making an official appearance for the club where he began and spent eight years.[25]

The Copa Argentina match took place at Estudiantes' home stadiumEstadio Ciudad de Río Cuarto.[26]Aimar was picked in the starting line up and wore the captain's armband, coming close to opening the score with a shot that was parried by the goalkeeper, before getting subbed off in the 50th minute.[27]The match ended in a goalless draw, which was not enough to see Estudiantes through the next round after a 2–1 loss in the first leg.[28]His brotherAndréswas also in the line-up of Estudiantes. Afterwards, Aimar confirmed that he had no intention of making a definitive comeback and that this was indeed his farewell match from football.[29]

International career

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Aimar first representedArgentinaat youth levels. Along with future senior team playersEsteban CambiassoandJuan Román Riquelmehe won the1997 FIFA World Youth Championshipand went on to earn 52 senior caps following his debut in 1999, scoring eight international goals in total.[2][30]He represented Argentina at the1999and2007editions of theCopa América,at the2002and2006FIFA World Cups,and at the2005 FIFA Confederations Cup.

In the 2002 World Cup, for which he was picked ahead of Riquelme, Aimar appeared againstEngland,subbing inforJuan Sebastián Verónin the 1–0 loss,[31]which led coachMarcelo Bielsato start him againstSwedenat the latter's expense.

Aimar scored the last goal of the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup during Argentina's 4–1 loss in the final to championsBrazil.[32]He also appeared with the national side in the 2007 Copa América, scoring a goal in a 4–1 win against theUnited Statesin his team's opening group match of the competition;[33]Argentina went on to reach thefinalof the tournament, losing out to Brazil once again, this time 0–3, with Aimar coming on as a second-half substitute for Cambiasso.[34][35]

After several months in the sidelines, Aimar received another international callup in October 2009, for decisive2010 World Cup qualifiersagainstPeruandUruguay.In the match against the former he repaid the faith placed in him by coach Diego Maradona, assistingGonzalo Higuaínfor Argentina's opener with a through ball, in an eventual 2–1 win.

Style of play

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An elegant, technically gifted and creativeattacking midfielderwith a small frame, Aimar was a right-footed player with a vast array of skills and an eye for goal.[36][37][38][39][40]He excelled in a free role as anadvanced playmakerwhere he was best able to utilise hisdribblingskills, vision and passing ability to create chances for teammates and orchestrate attacking moves.[37][38]Moreover, he was afree kickspecialist.[41]His skills and playing style saw himearn comparisonswithDiego Maradonain his youth.[42]Due to his talent and flamboyance, he was given the nicknamesEl Payaso(the clown) andEl Mago(the wizard) throughout his career.[37][43]As a youth, compatriotLionel Messistated in 2002 that Aimar was one of his biggest influences as a player.[37][44]In addition to his playing ability, Aimar also drew praise for his leadership qualities; however, despite his talent, he struggled with injuries throughout his career.[39]

Coaching career

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Aimar was appointed as coach of theArgentina national under-17 football teamin July 2017.[45]His under-17 team won theSouth American U-17 Championshipin2019.[46] He was part of the Argentina managerial team who won the2022 FIFA World Cup.

Personal life

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Aimar's younger brother,Andrés,was also a professional footballer and a midfielder. He represented several teams in his country – starting his career at River Plate – also playing for a few months in Israel.[47]In October 2022 Aimar's mother died.[48]

Career statistics

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Club

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Sources:[49][50][51]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[nb 1] Continental[nb 2] Other[nb 3] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
River Plate 1995–96 Argentine Primera División 1 0 1 0
1996–97 0 0
1997–98 16 4 7 2 23 6
1998–99 18 2 9 1 27 3
1999–00 33 13 8 3 41 16
2000–01 15 4 5 1 20 5
Total 83 23 0 0 29 7 0 0 112 30
Valencia 2000–01 La Liga 10 2 8 0 18 2
2001–02 33 4 1 0 6 2 40 6
2002–03 31 8 4[nb 4] 0 11 3 46 11
2003–04 25 4 5 0 8 0 38 4
2004–05 31 4 2[nb 5] 0 6 2 39 6
2005–06 32 5 2 0 1 0 35 5
Total 162 27 13 0 40 7 216 34
Zaragoza 2006–07 La Liga 31 5 1 0 32 5
2007–08 22 0 2 0 1 0 25 0
Total 53 5 3 0 1 0 57 5
Benfica 2008–09 Primeira Liga 22 1 2 0 1 0 4 1 29 2
2009–10 25 4 1 0 11 1 4 0 41 5
2010–11 23 5 6 1 12 1 5[nb 6] 0 46 7
2011–12 24 2 2 0 12 1 4 0 42 3
2012–13 13 0 3 0 3 0 2 0 21 0
Total 107 12 14 1 39 3 18 1 179 17
Johor Darul Ta'zim 2014 Malaysia Super League 8 2 0 0 8 2
Total 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 2
River Plate 2015 Argentine Primera División 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Estudiantes Río Cuarto 2017–18 Torneo Federal A 1 0 1 0
Career total 413 67 32 1 101 17 18 1 566 86

International

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Argentina
Year Apps Goals
1999 2 0
2000 5 1
2001 8 0
2002 6 1
2003 9 4
2004 2 0
2005 6 1
2006 6 0
2007 7 1
2009 1 0
Total 52 8

International goals

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Argentina score listed first, score column indicates score after each Aimar goal.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 16 August 2000 Estadio Monumental,Buenos Aires,Argentina Paraguay 1–1 1–1 2002 World Cup qualification
2. 27 March 2002 Geneva,Switzerland Cameroon 2–1 2–2 Friendly
3. 30 April 2003 June 11 Stadium,Tripoli, Libya Libya 3–1 3–1
4. 6 September 2003 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina Chile 2–0 2–2 2006 World Cup qualification
5. 9 September 2003 Estadio Olímpico,Caracas,Venezuela Venezuela 1–0 3–0
6. 15 November 2003 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina Bolivia 3–0 3–0
7. 29 June 2005 Waldstadion,Frankfurt,Germany Brazil 1–4 1–4 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
8. 28 June 2007 José Pachencho Romero,Maracaibo,Venezuela United States 3–1 4–1 2007 Copa América

Managerial

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As of 27 October 2022
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Argentina U-17 13 July 2017 Present 20 13 3 4 36 21 +15 065.00
Total 20 13 3 4 36 21 +15 065.00

Honours

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Player

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River Plate[3]

Valencia

Benfica

Johor Darul Ta’zim

Argentina U17

Argentina U20

Argentina

Individual

Managerial

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Argentina(as assistant manager)

Argentina U17

References

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  1. ^"Squad List: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Argentina (ARG)"(PDF).FIFA. 18 December 2022. p. 1.Retrieved27 October2024.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmnopSaleem, Omar (12 May 2017)."Pablo Aimar: The Elegant Magician who Inspired a Generation".These Football Times.Retrieved9 January2018.
  3. ^abcd"Tras casi 15 años, Aimar vuelve a vestir la casaca de River".Goal Argentina(in Spanish). 29 May 2015.Retrieved2 September2016.
  4. ^Shams Al-Deen, Abdullah (16 June 2009)."Where In The World Is Pablo Aimar?".Goal US.Retrieved1 September2016.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^abcdeBrassell, Andy (6 April 2010)."Benitez welcomes former protege Aimar to Anfield".ESPN FC.Retrieved3 February2015.
  6. ^Davies, Christopher (19 February 2001)."Aimar aims for immediate impact".The Telegraph.Retrieved3 March2015.
  7. ^[1].World Soccer.Retrieved 30 September 2016
  8. ^Hunter, Graham (23 September 2004)."Aimar's divine improvisation".UEFA.Retrieved30 September2016.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^"Aimar adds zest for Zaragoza".UEFA.29 July 2006.Retrieved5 September2016.
  10. ^"Ayala será jugador del Real Zaragoza".Real Zaragoza(in Spanish). 14 July 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 11 August 2007.Retrieved5 September2016.
  11. ^Rainbow, Jamie (27 July 2011)."Real Zaragoza: where did it all go wrong?".World Soccer.Retrieved5 September2016.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^"Aimar jura la Constitución y será jugador comunitario".El Periódico de Aragón(in Spanish). 14 June 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 26 September 2007.Retrieved5 September2016.
  13. ^Aimar leaves Zaragoza for Benfica;UEFA.com, 17 July 2008
  14. ^abMarcotti, Gabriele(20 April 2010)."Portugal's Benfica Helped by Reunion of River Plate Teammates".Wall Street Journal.Retrieved3 February2015.
  15. ^Cox, Michael (2 March 2010)."Benfica – the most attractive side in Europe?".Zonal Marking.Retrieved3 February2015.
  16. ^[2].UEFA.com. Retrieved 9 January 2018
  17. ^"Pablo Aimar despede-se do Benfica:" Foram cinco anos maravilhosos ""[Pablo Aimar says goodbye to Benfica: "I had five wonderful years" ] (in Portuguese).A Bola.6 June 2013.Retrieved6 June2013.
  18. ^Afiq, Nik (7 August 2013)."Tunku Ismail Ibrahim has confirmed that the former Benfica player, Pablo Aimar, will join Johor Darul Takzim next season".Goal.Retrieved10 August2013.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^"Football: Johor Darul Takzim sign Aimar in biggest-ever deal in M'sia for foreign player".Straits Times.14 September 2013.Retrieved5 September2016.
  20. ^abZainal, Zulhilmi (18 January 2014)."Johor Darul Ta'zim 2–0 Perak: Southern Tigers overcome defensive Seladangs".Goal.Retrieved22 April2014.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^"JDT axe under-par Argentine Aimar".The Star.21 April 2016.Retrieved5 September2016.
  22. ^"Aimar: I am anxious to play but I need to be in form".Buenos Aires Herald.6 January 2015.Retrieved12 January2015.
  23. ^"River Plate vs. Rosario Central - 31 May 2015 - Soccerway".int.soccerway.com.
  24. ^"River Plate's Aimar announces retirement".FourFourTwo.14 July 2015.Retrieved16 July2015.
  25. ^"Pablo Aimar vuelve al fútbol para cumplir una cuenta pendiente".Clarín(in Spanish). 16 January 2018.Retrieved17 January2018.
  26. ^"Estudiantes Río Cuarto Vs. Sportivo Belgrano 0 - 0".Soccerway.23 January 2018.Retrieved24 January2018.
  27. ^"La noche del adiós: Pablo Aimar se despidió como futbolista en su querido Estudiantes de Río Cuarto".La Nación(in Spanish). 23 January 2018.Retrieved24 January2018.
  28. ^"Sportivo Belgrano Vs. Estudiantes Río Cuarto 2 - 1".Soccerway.23 January 2018.Retrieved24 January2018.
  29. ^"Pablo Aimar despediu-se com emoção no clube da terra".A Bola(in Portuguese). 23 January 2018.Retrieved24 January2018.
  30. ^Argentina – Record International Players;atRSSSFArchived13 January 2010 at theWayback Machine
  31. ^"England's revenge".BBC Sport. 7 June 2002.Retrieved12 September2014.
  32. ^ab"Brazil 4–1 Argentina".FIFA.com. 29 June 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 30 September 2015.Retrieved15 March2019.
  33. ^"Tevez Nets in Argentina Victory".BBC Sport. 29 June 2007.Retrieved12 August2015.
  34. ^"Missing Some Stars, Brazil Wins Copa América".The New York Times.16 July 2007.Retrieved12 August2015.
  35. ^ab"Brazil victorious in Copa America".BBC Sport. 16 July 2007.Retrieved28 May2009.
  36. ^Aimar's divine improvisation;UEFA.com, 23 September 2004
  37. ^abcdPaul Wilson (16 July 2015)."Pablo Aimar: the Argentinian wizard admired by Maradona and Messi".The Guardian.Retrieved24 February2017.
  38. ^abAkash Swamynathan (15 July 2017)."The brilliance of Pablo 'El Mago' Aimar".www.sportskeeda.com.Retrieved15 March2019.
  39. ^ab"The Next Maradonas: Grading 10 of Diego's footballing reincarnations".www.squawka.com. 18 January 2016.Retrieved15 March2019.
  40. ^"Juan Roman Riquelme: My +10 team".FIFA.com. 28 June 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 27 March 2019.Retrieved16 March2019.
  41. ^Voss, Jason (24 July 2012)."What You Need to Know About Milan Target Oscar Cardozo".Bleacher Report.Retrieved3 November2021.
  42. ^"Real Zaragoza 3–0 Gimnastic de Tarragona".ESPN.19 November 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 24 January 2013.Retrieved28 December2012.Argentinian Aimar, who moved to Zaragoza from Valencia over the summer, has struggled to live up to his billing as 'the new Maradona' – one of several players to have been handed that tag – since moving to Spain.
  43. ^"Da" Nuovi Maradona "a" Nuovi Borghi ": Pablo Aimar"(in Italian). Il Pallonaro.Retrieved7 February2015.
  44. ^"Aimar, Messi's childhood idol".FC Barcelona.Retrieved7 February2015.
  45. ^"Pablo AIMAR presented as new U17 Argentina coach - Mundo Albiceleste".www.mundoalbiceleste.com.Retrieved16 September2017.
  46. ^abGrainger, James (20 April 2019)."Argentina crowned champions of 2019 South American U-17 Championship".www.batimes.com.ar.Retrieved4 June2019..He was the assistant coach of the national team in the 2019 Copa America and 2021 Copa America, both held in Brazil, winning the latter.
  47. ^"Pablo Aimar:" Cuando hablamos con Andrés le digo que Estudiantes va a salir de esta situación ""[Pablo Aimar: "When i talk with Andrés i tell him that Estudiantes will turn things around" ] (in Spanish). Telediario Digital. June 2011.Retrieved22 April2014.
  48. ^"Pablo Aimar, sus lágrimas y el" ganar es vivir, perder es morir ""(in Spanish). 29 November 2022.Retrieved1 December2022.
  49. ^"P. Aimar".Soccerway.Retrieved22 April2014.
  50. ^Pablo AimaratESPN FC
  51. ^"Pablo Aimar".WorldFootball.net.Retrieved15 March2019.
  52. ^"South American Team of the Year".RSSSF.16 January 2009.Retrieved10 March2015.
  53. ^"Galardões Cosme Damião distinguem Chalana e Aimar"[Galardões Cosme Damião distinguish Chalana and Aimar].SAPO Desporto(in Portuguese). 28 February 2012.Retrieved1 March2016.
  54. ^Murray, Scott (18 December 2022)."2022 World Cup final: Argentina 3-3 France (aet, 4-2 on pens) – as it happened".the Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved28 June2024.
  55. ^"Lionel Messi wins first Copa America as Argentina beat Brazil in final".BBC Sport.9 July 2021.Retrieved28 June2024.
  56. ^"Argentina 2-1 Chile: Messi gets first red card in 14 years as Argentina win".BBC Sport.6 July 2019.Retrieved28 June2024.
  57. ^"Italy 0-3 Argentina: Messi and Di Maria shine in impressive Finalissima win".BBC Sport.31 May 2022.Retrieved28 June2024.
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