Nedved's Farewell International Shot
PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Some of soccer's elite players consider the World Cup more than just a sporting event. They believe it can also change their lives.
So Pavel Nedved, who seemed to say goodbye to international soccer in 2004, is back on the world stage, ready for the World Cup.
It sure didn't look likely two years ago.
"It's for good," the Juventus star midfielder said resolutely when he announced his international retirement back then, citing a recurrent knee injury that did not allow him to play for both club and country.
His decision came just a couple of months after he captained the Czechs to the semifinals of the European Championship. It surprised many, including Czech national coach Karel Bruckner.
Nedved's retirement severely weakened the Czech squad just as it also was depleted by injuries. The Czechs, ranked second in the world, were struggling throughout the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Needed by his nation — with the World Cup's special attraction playing a role — it was the right time for Nedved to change his mind and help, saying the motivation to advance was "huge."
He was not alone in such a turnaround. Some other big stars came out of retirement to help their countries qualify, including France's Zinedine Zidane, and Trinidad and Tobago's Dwight Yorke, who helped Manchester United win the Champions League in 1999.
Czechoslovakia, which split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, played in the World Cup several times, but the
Czech Republic had never qualified. It secured a playoff spot this time, then beat Norway for a berth in the tournament.
Following the successful playoff, which he called "a great fantasy," the 33-year-old Nedved — Europe's best player three years ago — is expected to be the playmaker for the Czechs in Germany.
"
He's the leader," Bruckner said about Nedved, stressing his undying "
thirst for winning."
"
He's a winning character," the coach added.
"
The World Cup is the most one can achieve in soccer," Nedved said. "
It's the career's culmination for everyone. It's not important to win, just to participate is something extraordinary.
"I belong to the veterans and I had thought I would never ... play at the World Cup. Now, I'm extremely happy that we're not a lost generation and will take part."
Nedved and attacking midfielders Karel Poborsky and Vladimir Smicer are the last three veterans who were on the Czech team that staged an upset at Euro '96, reaching the final. Their brilliant performances then earned them places in lineups of leading European clubs, including FC Liverpool and Manchester United.
Nedved moved to Lazio from Sparta Prague in 1996 in a transfer that elevated him to star status in European soccer. He helped the Rome-based club to victories in the Italian Cup in 1998 and the European Winners' Cup in 1999.
Lazio clinched the Italian League and Cup double the following season and Nedved, the club's best player, transferred to Juventus in a deal worth $51.2 million in 2001.
Nedved's combative attitude and determination, accompanied by brilliant ball and passing skills and lethal long-range shooting, made him a leader at Juventus. He took over there for the seemingly irreplaceable Zidane, who had transferred to Real Madrid.
He led Juventus to the Serie A championship in 2002, 2003, 2005 and this season. He was instrumental in the Italian superpower's elimination of Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals in 2003, but missed the final game due to yellow cards.
Now, he's determined to improve his 17 goals in 85 appearances for the Czech Republic and to fill a void.
"
My dream still remains the same," Nedved said. "
To play once again in a grand final, be it the Champions League with Juventus ... or the World Cup final.
"That's the biggest motivation for me that helps me recover from all injuries and troubles I've gone through."
Associated press
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You'll be always a legend, Pavel