Olympic hero Sosa ready to roll

José Ernesto Sosa has already resumed the daily grind of sprints on the end of an elastic rope, hurdles and slaloms, and workouts in the weights room. The Argentine Olympic gold medallist returned to Munich from Beijing on Sunday, travelling direct from the airport to the Säbener Strasse, symbolic of his determination to make the breakthrough at Bayern in his second season at the club. Olympic triumph has massively increased Sosa’s resolve to succeed. “The gold medal means I’m even more motivated,” he declared.

On Tuesday, three days after Argentina’s victory over Nigeria in the Beijing final, Sosa proudly showed off his medal to the media. “The gold is very significant to me, because I won it for my country,” he explained, although he confessed that victory in the final was almost less important than the Gauchos’ 3-0 semi-final defeat of Brazil. Which was really more enjoyable, Sosa was asked. “Beating Brazil,“ he grinned.

Unique atmosphere

That famous victory and the subsequent gold medal were not the only reasons he would never forget the Games, Sosa revealed, as there was nothing to compare with the unique Olympic atmosphere he experienced in three days quartered in the Olympic Village. “It was fantastic to be around so many top athletes,” he said, disappointed only that the Argentine squad spent most of their time in Shanghai.

Understandably, the player has come home with positive memories of the Games. “It was great and I’m very happy. We achieved our goal.“ The 23-year-old is now raring to go for Bayern. “I’ve come back with my sights set high. I’m fit and feeling great,” he said.

Sosa made 25 appearances for Bayern last term, including ten starts. He is now hoping to improve on that total. “I’m in great shape and really fired up about football, although obviously it’s the coach’s decision whether to pick me or not.“