He prefers to drink alcohol with soda and watch the World Cup from his home, in a quiet town near Tampa, United States. Ang Bullfighter he receives the love and admiration of Argentine fans every time he returns to the country. And, although he was born in Córdoba, he is a consecrated ambassador of Mendoza wines.

Mario Alberto Kempes1978 World Cup champion, traveled to Mendoza to launch a new vintage of his iconic wine El Matador, a blend of Malbec and Petit Verdot, harvest 2018, with grapes from the Uco Valley. Each bottle costs 2,300 pesos.

In good spirits, at the entrance to a winery and behind the Andes Mountains, he spoke about the possibilities the Argentine National Team has in the Qatar World Cup and how he sees his rivals.

“I don’t think (Lionel) Scaloni will get the team he got in such a short time,” the ESPN commentator for Latin America began in his review.

He said he sees the team more than previous selections. “With more responsibility for the players around Messi”. “Everyone contributes what they have to contribute to the field, and knowing they have Messi, they also don’t put too much burden on their backs,” he said.

Regarding the coach’s performance, he commented: “He was very good in the qualifying rounds, even though the World Cup was more. CI believe Scaloni already has a team formed in his head. A team with an incredible responsibility to the players themselves ”.

He described every rival of Argentina, in the first round, in Group C: “I don’t know the Saudi Arabia team. I see Mexico and it is very irregular. And Poland hasn’t played in a long time. “

More than what seems like a good prognosis for Napili, Kempes is not riding the wave of success. “At the World Cup, any mistake can force you to pack your bags and come back”.

He praised the other teams with chances to reach the final: “Germany mixed well -known players with a lot of young people, and Spain could be doing well.” However, he ruled: “France will be the most dangerous team in Qatar.”

El Matador remembers his years on the National Team. He holds the record for being the only player in history to become world champion, best player and top scorer in the tournament.

In the final, on June 25, 1978, in Buenos Aires. Argentina beat the Netherlands 3-1, with two goals from Kempes, a discount from rival Dick Nanninga, and the final shot from Daniel Bertoni, after Matador’s excellent play.

Kempes became the game’s best player and the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, but he never touched the cup. “I did not get it”he commented, in Mendoza’s hot siesta.

Daniel Passarella, Argentine captain, was the first to lift the trophy, which was later passed between the players and manager. “I didn’t get to greet Videla (the head of the dictatorial government) because of the chaos that happened. I was the last in line and I didn’t get to where the medals were handed out. I didn’t even touch the cup.”Kempes recalled.

40 years passed and that meeting with the golden trophy was achieved: “Many years later, in Switzerland, when I was in the World Cup museum, they allowed me to lift it.”

Although journalists insisted, Kempes did not want to criticize the lack of recognition of the champions in 1978, as he spoke many times about the mistreatment of the AFA. “I have to admit that I was wrong. Many of us love us, the Argentines recognize us”assured.

The Matador arrives

The project Mario Kempes Wines, in collaboration with Franco Ferrucci, Andes Growers and the Fermasa winery, from the town of Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, is engaged in exports. The winemaker is José Di Marco.

The Spanish city of Valenciawhere the Matador is considered an idol, the main destination for these wines. It also has a record of sales in Miami and the southern United States.

“In 2019, we launched the first batch, which was a blend of Malbec and Petit Verdot harvest 2017. And now we have added to the line a 100% Malbec varietal also within the Reserve line, and a Torrontés white wine, all with grapes from the Uco Valley, ”said Jonathan Taro, from the Andes Growers company.

The Gran Reserva line with three wines will have a total of three thousand bottles, while the Reserva lines will have 10 thousand bottles each. Wines can be purchased at https://g47club.com/

El Matador said that, prior to this project, his relationship with alcohol was on “someone from the street, drinking its soda”. Now, he is encouraged to give his opinion, “I have the finest palate, I savor it, I taste it, although I’m not an expert either.”

Kempes agreed to each selfie, grilling and giving a hug. Full of great affection, he announced: “I take this business of making wines seriously. It’s been a weird week, the thing in Bell Ville (made him a prominent citizen of his town), riding a pumper through of the streets of the town and the dinner, it moved me again ”.

Although he showcased his talent as a soccer commentator, engaging the younger generation through video games, he makes sure the National Team matches them as “another fan.”

We went to ping pong.

-Messi or Maradona?

Kempes replied: “Messi, now; Maradona, data. Two different moments, you don’t have to compare “.

-Menotti or Bilardo?

Matador’s answer, contradicts another question: “How many championships does Argentina have?”. And he featured: “Two, and they are the technicians. So they are both the best. “

-Can Scaloni be the world champion coach?

El Matador said: “The coach has to keep working because he has a good chance on a great National Team and a lot of chances to win.”

And, about the chances of reaching the final, he puts his hope in this National Team: “I think, we Argentines have a new hope to get another star”.