Soccer-Veron answers critics with South American title

By Rex Gowar

BUENOS AIRES, July 16 (Reuters) - Juan Sebastian Veron was lauded as his club's outstanding player of all time after leading modest Estudiantes to Libertadores Cup victory.

"Veron is the outstanding player of Estudiantes since the club was created," said coach Alex Sabella after the playmaker's role in the 2-1 win over Brazil's Cruzeiro on Wednesday.

The victory in Belo Horizonte gave the Argentine club their fourth title and the first since their 1968-70 treble when Veron's father Juan Ramon was their main inspiration.

"This title is for everyone, for the fans, for the people that love me and those that don't," said Veron, who was widely blamed for Argentina's shock first-round exit at the 2002 World Cup.

When Veron returned to South America from Europe in 2006, he said: "I want to help the team win another international trophy" but the statement was taken largely as wishful thinking by a man no-one expected to see back in an Argentina shirt.

Veron immediately led Estudiantes to a league title in December 2006 under his former Argentina team mate Diego Simeone and returned to the national side at the 2007 Copa America.

Estudiantes will go to Abu Dhabi in December looking to win the Club World Cup where Barcelona will be favourites.