From Aimar to Henry: Who are the five most influential attendees of Qatar 2022?

Although the coaches are the main faces when leading a team, behind them there is a whole group of people who perform crucial functions for the operation of a team. Now in Qatar we see coaches and leaders on the benches of each game, but they are not alone.

The coaches are accompanied by a specialized team with which they plan before, during and after the games. Today, thanks to technology, we see these people analyzing every detail of the match live and direct so that the players give their greatest potential with the aim of winning. Here we present five figures that shine with their own light on the benches.

1. Pablo Aimar (Argentina)

The former player and selected Argentine, Pablo Aimar joined the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in 2017 to take command of the U-17 National Team. This was his first experience under the technical command of a minor team. At the request of the AFA leadership, Aimar was included in the coaching staff of Sampaoli, who took the reins of the Absolute Selection.

Then he was called as Scaloni’s field assistant for the preparation of the Alcudia International Under-20 Soccer Tournament in 2018. His role was determining for the Argentines to be crowned champions of the contest. After the AFA’s decision to assign Scaloni as coach of the Senior Selection, the coach did not hesitate to include Pablo Aimar within his command.

Aimar was part of the team with which Argentina became champion of America in 2021 and now we see him in Qatar with the dream of being world champions. One of the most significant images that impacted everyone was Pablo’s reaction after Messi’s goal against Mexico that put them back in the race for the title.

His video went viral on social networks, where the former footballer was seen moved to tears. An image that represented all Argentines at that time. Messi’s childhood idol lives the dream of seeing him play every day. “I really like watching him train, I have the enormous privilege of watching him train.” He declared in an interview a few years ago.

2. Mario Mandzukic (Croatia)

Last year Mario Mandzukic joined Zlatko Dalic’s coaching staff for his country’s national team. The former striker began his adventure on the bench after retiring as a professional in 2021 at the age of 35 and what better way to do it with the coach who led him in 89 games and with whom he achieved runner-up in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“I know how much the national team meant to me as a player and I want to pass on this passion, but also my experience, to the new generation.” commented a year ago on this decision. Dalic himself He commented at that time what this incorporation meant and what Mandzukic could give to the footballers: “Talking with him, I was convinced by his commitment, interest and help, and I believe that his exceptional experience will greatly benefit our players, especially the younger ones.”

Now in Qatar 2022 the presence of what was one of the best players in the world and the Croatian team has not gone unnoticed. Mandzukic is a luxury technical assistant for the Croatians who will face Japan tomorrow for a place in the quarterfinals of this World Cup.

3. Thierry Henry (Belgium)

Star, legend and figure that was Thierry Henry for the French team and for the world of football. The striker announced his retirement and the end of his great professional career in 2014, but despite the fact that he hung up his boots, he knew that he did not want to break away from football. So he started his studies to become a coach.

Two years later it was announced that the world champion would integrate the technical command of Roberto Martínez in the Belgium team. “Thanks to Roberto Martínez and the Royal Belgian Football Association. Very excited. I can not wait”he wrote on his networks in 2016, before a Belgium that wanted to leave behind the bad role of the Eurocup that year.

Martínez was full of praise for Henry, assuring that his presence in the team would be crucial for these players. “He is someone who has been in the situation of having to develop a mentality as a team to change the dream of winning something special. He did that with his country in 1996 and took it to 1998, ″said the Spaniard.

He was with the Red Devils as assistant to the head coach and helped the Belgians reach the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where they finished third. Months later he assumed the position of Monaco coach. But the bad results were a constant that forced him to leave the French team. In 2020 he migrated to Canada to take charge of CF Montreal, which did not last long when he was again offered to return to the command of Martínez with Belgium.

He rejoined the team in May 2021 with a view to the Eurocup, in which Belgium was eliminated in the quarterfinals. His next goal was Qatar 2022 and we saw him in the Arab country with an unrecognizable Belgian team that said goodbye in the group stage. Despite this, Henry will continue in office as this was announced before the World Cup.

4. Edgar Davids (Netherlands)

Edgar Davis wore the shirt of the Netherlands team in 74 official matches. In 12 of them he wore the captain’s belt and was a World Cup player in 1998. In addition to his three experiences in Eurocups: 1996, 2000 and 2004. Last May it was announced that the former footballer He joined the technical command of Louis van Gaal as the team’s assistant coach.

“I am not only proud but also very excited to be able to continue my coaching career together with such a renowned coach as Louis van Gaal and to be able to work with the best in the country.” commented with clear emotion for joining this group. Likewise, Van Gaal stated about this news: “I am delighted that Edgar Davids is joining our coaching staff. Our paths have regularly crossed in the past and I am convinced that he will play this role excellently ”, expressed the Dutch coach.

In Qatar we see the former midfielder along with the technical staff with Danny Blind, and Frans Hook. The ‘Clockwork Orange’ is firm in this World Cup, qualifying first in its group and being the first national team to seal its pass to the quarterfinals of the international tournament after beating the United States with superiority.

5. Nuria Martinez Navas (Spain)

Nuria Martínez Navas has drawn attention so far at the World Cup in Qatar for sitting on the substitute bench with Luis Enrique during the matches of the Spanish team. Nuria has been a member of La Roja’s technical command as the team’s team manager since September 2021.

It is not the first time that a woman has had this task within the staff of the Spanish team. Martínez came in to replace Silvia Dorschnerova, who served as the team’s delegate for almost 30 years. Now Nuria is one of the most recognizable faces along with Luis Enrique on the bench when the hymns are played before each start of the matches.

Before arriving at the Spanish National Team, Nuria worked for the Spanish Basketball Federation. She was part of the organization of the 2009 European Championship in Spain, and also as director of Institutional Relations at Atlético De Madrid. He also manages the social networks of several important athletes.

Now in her role as team manager in Qatar 2022, the Spanish is in charge and responsible for delivering the different minutes to the referees and informing the fourth official of the substitutions during the development of the match. As well as being the direct link with UEFA or FIFA.