Leo Ponzio made River Plate publicly tremble at his farewell to football

Leonard Ponzio He lived his good night farewell to football in his tribute match played this Wednesday in front of more than 40 thousand people in Monument Stadium from the porteño neighborhood of Núñezin a meeting that brought together legends and friends of the “Eternal Captain”, as he was called on this special day for the emblem Millionaire.

The player entered Newell’s Old Boys and played eight seasons in the Royal Saragossa was the great star of a night that began with a spectacular show of lights and pyrotechnics that served to raise the curtain on a very exciting day and the stellar entrance of Ponzio in Monumental.

“You made me like this, thank you very much. You gave me human value. I never dreamed of this. I was adopted in this house and I don’t know how to explain my feelings. I think this exceeded all my expectations,” is among the few words that can outline Ponzio before kickoff in an emotional voice.

The most successful player in River’s history with 14 titles received a plaque from the current president before the match Millionaire, Jorge Brito and its predecessor Rodolfo D’Onofrio.

“Leon” played 358 games and scored 10 goals in the two seasons he played between 2007-2009 and then since he returned in 2012 to play in the promotion the second part of National B until his retirement.

Ponzio his career began in to Newell in 2000, he became the Argentine Sub’20 champion in 2001 and played almost 250 games in Saragossa in 10 seasons, although his career will always be associated with river and therefore his well-deserved farewell party.

After the rituals is the turn of the ball which is caressed for the last time as the player’s Leonard Ponziowhose last official match was on December 18, 2021 against Columbus of Santa Fe for the Champions Trophy, when the Millionaire won 4-0 and the “Eternal Captain” entered by Enzo Fernandez to add his last medal.

The Uruguayans Enzo Francescoli and Sebastian Abreu, Maximiliano Rodríguez, Leonardo Astrada, Andrés D’Alessandro, Fernando Cavenaghi, Ariel Ortega, Marcelo Gallardo, the Colombian Juan Fernando Quintero, Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Fernández, Enzo Pérez, Lucas Pratto, Alejandro Domínguez, I Si Javier Pinola, brothers Diego and Gabriel Milito, Fernando Belluschi were some of the stars in the first half, which ended 6-5 in favor of the team with the traditional jersey.

In the red jersey set, one of the goals is the act of own penalty Leo Ponziowho was honored in the 23rd minute with a standing ovation and there were posters in the stadium that read “Leo Ponzio, the most champion”, “Capitán Eterno” and “23″, and a chant praying “that hand in hand, from Leo Ponzio, we will all turn our backs”.

In the second half there was an emotional moment when Augusto Batalla left the goal and gave his place to Enzo Pérez, recalling the memorable night when the midfielder on May 19, 2021 scored the ‘millionaire’ goal for the Copa Libertadores against Independiente Santa Fe.

This is surely the great enemy of the night, Leo Ponziowho was satisfied with stopping the penalty against Enzo Pérez himself until minute 23 the son of the honored, Paula entered the field to hug his father and in the emblematic minute 23 indicated by the referee’s whistle Paul Lunatti the end of a very special night that ended with a song sung by Soledad Pastoruti.

“More than dreamed today. I hope it happens again because it’s inexplicable. Thank you for everything. Today I am indebted to all of you for all the love I have received today because it is so great. Thank you for making me live a magical and unique night”, said Ponzio in an emotional hug to his son.