Roa: I wasn't a penalty specialist ( To say Carlos Roa has faced obstacles over the course of his life and professional career would be a huge understatement, with the former Argentina No1, whose star shone brightest for Mallorca and La Albiceleste in the late 1990s, alternating sporting success with immense personal setbacks. Now 42, the Santa Fe-born ex-shotstopper overcame such varied and testing challenges as malaria, testicular cancer and even a brief retirement from the game for religious reasons. Currently working as goalkeeping coach at Buenos Aires giants River Plate, Roa touched on all of these life-changing events and more in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com. FIFA.com: You dropped off the radar somewhat after retiring from the professional game, so can you tell how us you ended up on the River Plate coaching staff? Carlos Roa: It was unexpected. Matias [Almeyda] rang me at half past one in the morning, on the weekend that River’s relegation was confirmed, and offered me a place on his coaching staff. It was fantastic! I got on very well with him [when we were part of the Argentina squad] at the 1998 World Cup and, though we weren’t close friends, we’d always have a chat whenever we saw each other. I’ve been very happy ever since this opportunity came about and every day I’m discovering more and more about el mundo River (River Plate’s world), which is really impressive. What’s it like coaching young goalkeepers? I learn from them too. You have to adapt to their freshness, their spontaneity and the lively exchange of ideas. They ask me things about my past but I never use myself as an example. With this generation, the worst thing you can do is go around boasting about what you’ve done over your career. These lads have more talent than me, as I was a keeper with very limited ability. I was a late developer, which is why I didn’t get a move to Europe until I was 28. These guys, if they’re committed enough, can go much further. Do you think young players today are different to in your day? Possibly. In today’s chaotic world, some of them think that they have to get everything right now: play in the top flight, have the right car and make a name for themselves. And they want it all without making sacrifices. My generation had to really struggle to make it, which is something I value and a message I try to