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Original source: Gol De Ascenso
This video from Gol De Ascenso covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 8 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
An iconic ring, serious anti-doping controls, and extra FIFA votes. This is how Julio Grondona pulled the strings of global football power.
Noray Nakis Reveals Origin of Julio Grondona's 'Todo Pasa' Ring
Veteran Argentine football leader Noray Nakis revealed how Julio Grondona's iconic "Todo Pasa" ring originated. After a tense FIFA congress in Switzerland, where Grondona's political skill proved crucial, Nakis was inspired by the AFA president's repeated phrase. Upon returning, he commissioned the ring as a gift. The story highlights their close bond and global football power dynamics. Nakis also stated he represented Armenia at a FIFA assembly, effectively giving Argentina an extra vote, and praised Grondona's serious implementation of anti-doping controls from 1979.
"At a FIFA congress, a very difficult issue arose. Julio Grondona, with great skill, won the position. We chatted, and I told him, 'Julio, obviously everything passes.' When we returned, I secretly measured his finger and made him the ring."
Nakis: 'Managing Lower-League Clubs Steals Family Time and Money'
Noray Nakis highlights the vast difference between leading major clubs like River or Boca and lower-tier teams like Ituzaingó or Deportivo Armenio. Big club executives seek media exposure or political platforms; lower-league directors invest personal time and money without the same recognition. This distinction reveals two realities in Argentine football. Lower-division leadership, Nakis says, stems from personal sacrifice and club loyalty, contrasting sharply with the interests often driving leaders of the nation's most powerful institutions.
"I want to see who wants to be a director for Ituzaingó, Almirante Brown, or Armenio. You take time from your family, time from your business, and money from your pocket."
Nakis: 'Grondona Led Major Overhaul in Argentine Football'
Noray Nakis credits Julio Grondona with a "major overhaul" in Argentine football. During his AFA tenure, he integrated regional clubs, created new revenue streams like the Prode lottery, and financially strengthened institutions that previously relied solely on ticket sales and member contributions. This transformation, Nakis asserts, not only modernized local football but also cemented Grondona's global standing. He compares Grondona's leadership influence to Maradona, Pelé, and Di Stéfano combined, emphasizing his ability to change the game off the field.
"To me, Julio was Maradona, Pelé, and Di Stéfano all four together for world football. What he used for Argentina was excellent for world football."
Nakis Praises Tapia's AFA Leadership: 'He's Managing Well'
Noray Nakis praised Claudio Tapia's management of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), crediting him with cleaning up club and national team finances. Nakis highlighted that AFA previously couldn't pay coaches or buy national team flights, a situation Tapia reversed. A core strategy involved Tapia avoiding bank loans that would equally burden all institutions, even financially sound ones. This marks a shift towards general financial stability, not short-term solutions compromising clubs' futures.
"Before 'Chiqui' Tapia became AFA president, we couldn't pay coaches. The Argentine National Team had no money for tickets. Today, our clubs are doing well."
Nakis Confirms Pushing Maradona for National Team Coach: 'It Was the Ideal Time'
Noray Nakis confirmed he strongly pushed for Diego Maradona to become Argentina's national team coach. He revealed that AFA President Julio Grondona consulted his close circle on such decisions, and Nakis advocated for Maradona precisely when the team needed a coach. The appointment came at a favorable time. Grondona and Maradona's friendship had mended during the China Olympics. Nakis felt Diego was 'very well' emotionally, making it the 'ideal moment' for him to take Argentine football's top job.
"It's true. Julio Grondona consulted the people around him. Their friendship [with Maradona] reconnected at the China Olympics. Diego was doing very well; it was the ideal moment."
Nakis Defends Lower-Tier Executives, Praises Tapia: 'He's a Phenomenon'
Noray Nakis vigorously defended the competence of lower-tier football executives, citing Claudio Tapia as an example. He called Tapia 'a phenomenon' who rescued Argentine football from an economic crisis where even referees went unpaid. Nakis condemned the underestimation of leaders like Tapia, some dismissively calling him 'el negro.' He criticized 'incumbent executives' who, he claims, use clubs for political campaigns rather than for the institutions themselves. This defense champions leaders forged by sacrifice in small clubs, contrasting them with those who merely seek power in large ones.
"The one they call 'black' is a phenomenal executive. Mark my words. I know the conditions under which he took over football."
▶ Watch this segment — 1:06:05
Nakis on Armando Pérez's AFA tenure: "He failed, surrounded himself with names, not talent"
Noray Nakis calls Armando Pérez's AFA tenure a "failure." He argues Pérez, despite business success and leading Belgrano de Córdoba, erred by surrounding himself with "names" instead of "capable leaders." During his time, Nakis recalls, the AFA couldn't even pay the national team coach.
Nakis contrasts this with Julio Grondona's model. Grondona built his executive committee with proven, experienced leaders, many from lower divisions, like the presidents of Defensores de Belgrano or Ferrocarril Oeste. Nakis concludes leadership experience outweighs celebrity.
"At AFA, he failed. He didn't surround himself with capable leaders; he surrounded himself with names."
▶ Watch this segment — 1:10:11
Nakis Recalls Early Career, Key Role in 1979 Champion Squad
Noray Nakis recounts his start in football management, joining Deportivo Armenio in 1975 and becoming vice president in 1977. That year, he became the club's delegate to the AFA, tasked with scouting and reporting on lower-division players for the youth national team.
His youth scouting directly impacted Argentina's success. Nakis proudly notes this initiative brought lower-division players into the youth squad that, featuring Diego Maradona and Ramón Díaz, won the 1979 World Cup in Japan.
"See, the '79 Japan World Cup squad had lower-division players. We became world champions with that team, Maradona and Ramón Díaz's team."
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Summarised from Gol De Ascenso · 1:19:23. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarises publicly available video content.
