Salomon Rondon put his brilliant goalscoring performance for Venezuela against Lionel Messi’s Argentina down to Newcastle United.
Venezuela tuned up for this summer’s Copa America – where they’ll face Brazil, Peru and Bolivia – with a 3-1 defeat of Argentina in Madrid. And Rondon opened the scored in the first ten minutes with a brilliant, instinctive finish.
Speaking afterwards he said that his performance can be tracked back to his role for his club, Salomon Rondon gives Newcastle United first refusal on his services - despite Everton interest . “We have to keep working, doing things well. I have a good precedent in my club and that’s why I’m good in the national team,” he said.
He also said that United’s philosophy – that they are a collective rather than a group of talented individuals – was present for his international side. While Messi is the “best player in history”, Venezuela were able to triumph. “We do not think as individuals but in a collective and that has worked for us today,” he told local media.
It was a timely win for a country in political and economic turmoil and Rondon dedicated the win to the the citizens of his home country.
“We try to bring joy to the people of Venezuela, to the Venezuelan communities in so many countries and to be distracted by what we do. Let people enjoy this victory because they deserve it,” he said.
Rondon, who is desperate to make the move to Newcastle permanent, will play on Tuesday against Catalonia in Madrid.
Newcastle set up internal due diligence for takeover parties, as Ashley waits for summer interest
Salomon Rondon gives Newcastle United first refusal on his services - despite Everton interest
