"The two most famous Argentines in the United States: my dad and Messi!"
Nico Cantor is beaming with pride. So, too, is his father, the legendary Andres Cantor, who is conveniently sitting right next to him. While Lionel Messi may be the man who created so many iconic moments, Andres Cantor has been the soundtrack for so many of them.
For every memorable Messi goal, there's an iconic Cantor call of it coming in right behind.
Messi's footprint is secure. So, too, is Cantor's. The elder Cantor, though, isn't writing the story alone. Famous for the legacy he's built with Telemundo and beyond, Andres is now watching on as his son, Nico, builds on it with his work with CBS, continuing to carry the Cantor torch in his own way. This wasn't always the plan, but it surely is cool, and it's something that both can now take so much pride in.
"Believe me, I didn't push him into this," the elder Cantortells GOALwith a laugh. "He just naturally fell into it. Watching him grow professionally has been tremendous. I think, and I know I'm biased, I think he's doing a terrific job."
Better than most, the Cantors understand the complexities of the American soccer landscape. They can also understand Messi's impact on it - generally for good.
The Cantors discussed Messi's legacy, fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup path for the USMNT and the culture of soccer in the latest edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.
NOTE: This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
