The flip side of the short league format in Argentina providing two champions a year is, of course, two extended periods of mourning. No competitive football, only interminable rumours, friendlies, marketing exercises and the like. This is compounded by Fútbol Para Todos, where the fixtures are played back to back, often making the weekend run from Friday night to Tuesday.
Technically, this season isnâÂÂt over. There is still the Independiente versus Tigre match to play after the RojoâÂÂs Sudamericana foray delayed that particular showdown, but for all intents and purposes, the Apertura 10 has finished.
Player of the season: Gio Moreno (Racing)
Strictly speaking weâÂÂre meant to say Juan Manuel MartÃÂnez (Vélez) because thatâÂÂs what everyone else is saying, or Enzo Perez at Estudiantes, or - because Riquelme singled him out - David RamÃÂrez at Godoy Cruz.
The prize, however, goes to the DNA experiment Gio Moreno who has fused together Peter CrouchâÂÂs build, GutiâÂÂs passing, RiquelmeâÂÂs languid style and individual brilliance together with (young) RivaldoâÂÂs creativity. He is a genius.
Goal of the season: Juan Manuel MartÃÂnez (Vélez) vs. Racing
No arguing about this one. Some said it was pure Maradona. Others that Caniggia would have been proud of it. Others suggested it was worthy of Messi. It was in fact Juan Manuel MartÃÂnez.
Surprise Package: All Boys
Quilmes and Olimpo managed to hang on and end 16th and 17th, but rather than just hanging on, fellow promotees All Boys swaggered their way to 8th in the league, beating Boca, Estudiantes, River and Independiente on the way.
The âÂÂYouâÂÂve Got To Hand It To Them For Sticking At Itâ Award: Quilmes.
The Brewers suffered a 14-match droop before finally getting it up in the final stage of the season and actually winning a game.
Most annoying metaphor: RamónâÂÂs Falcon.
It was fun at first. We all did it - it was handed to us on a plate. But enough is enough. San LorenzoâÂÂs coach Ramón DÃÂaz said his side werenâÂÂt so much a Ferrari as a more practical Ford Falcon. It doesnâÂÂt mean that EVERY SINGLE article about the club has to use it in the headline.
The IâÂÂm Going to Quit Award: Claudio Bichi Borghi
As the championship winning coach with Argentinos Juniors, Claudio Bichi Borghi was the perfect choice as Boca coach for this season. Things didnâÂÂt quite work out, though. âÂÂHeâÂÂs too nice,â confided one first teamer. Borghi threatened to quit three times before losing the superclásico to River, by when he no longer had a choice.
The Hats Off To The Board Award: Argentinos Juniors
When Borghi went to Boca, in came Pedro Troglio. Taking over a championship winning side thatâÂÂs lost half its players isnâÂÂt easy. Not winning in the first seven matches makes things even harder. But the board stuck by Troglio, and ended the season in a very respectable midtable position. Hats off.
The Did They Really Finish That High? Award: Arsenal and River Plate
The Arse went quietly about their job and managed to finish third. River Plate were battling the relegation averages plus had all the fuss about Angel Cappa surrounding them, meaning that few noticed them creep up to finish 4th in the table.
The Most Libellous Claim: Juan Angulo Villegas
TigreâÂÂs Colombian right back went national with his claim that his coach, the prickly Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, asked for money to get into the first team. WeâÂÂre leaving that one right thereâ¦
The Should Get A Better Agent Award: Roberto Pereyra.
All the talk has been about Milan, Juventus, Benfica begging to part with sums of up to $15 million for striker Gabriel Funes Mori and forward Erik Lamela. Fine. But what about the other brilliant teenage midfielder at River Plate? Who? Where?!
The Chalk and Cheese Award: Independiente
The King of the Cups won their 16th international trophy with the Sudamericana. They also finished bottom of the league with just two wins all season. Go figure.
The Nestor Kirchner Clausura âÂÂ11 kicks off on February 13th
