Among a crowd, Leonardo Ponzio played his farewell match at River Plate last Wednesday at the Monumental Stadium and Enzo Francescoli was one of those who gained prominence.
Enzo Francescoli, a legend at River Plate just like Leo Ponzio, scored a spectacular goal that went viral in Argentinean lands. The Uruguayan former footballer, currently 60 years old, stood out and gifted a 'gem' like in his best times wearing the 'millionaire' jersey and also the Uruguay National Team's uniform.
Francescoli escaped the marking of four opponents in a tight space and performed an amazing 'nutmeg' on the last one. Then, faced with the goalkeeper's exit, the former Olympique Marseille player finished with ease.
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Enzo Francescoli, protagonist at Leo Ponzio's farewell
River fans had no choice but to applaud him. The same did the players of the match as well as the coach Marcelo Gallardo.
In the end, the game ended 7-6 and had the presence of other legends such as Gabriel Milito, Ignacio Scocco, Ariel Ortega, Braian Romero, David Trezeguet, Javier Pinola, Emanuel Mammana, Sebastián Abreu, Andrés D'Alessandro, Enzo Pérez, Germán Lux, and more.
Leonardo Ponzio had his great farewell night in front of more than 40,000 people at the Monumental, in a match that brought together legends and friends of the "Eternal Captain," as he was called on this special day for the River Plate emblem.
The player, who emerged from Newell's Old Boys and played eight seasons at Real Zaragoza, was the main protagonist of a night that began with an impressive light and fireworks show that served to open the curtain on a very emotional day and Ponzio's star entrance to the Monumental.
"You made me who I am, thank you very much. You gave me human value. I never dreamed of this. I am adopted in this house and I don't know how to explain what I feel. I think this exceeded all my expectations," were the few words he could utter before the kick-off with a voice choked with emotion.
Ponzio and a farewell in style
The most decorated player in River Plate's history with 14 titles received a plaque before the match from the current Millonario president, Jorge Brito, and his predecessor Rodolfo D’Onofrio.
The 'Lion' played 358 matches and scored 10 goals in the two seasons he played between 2007-2009 and then from his return in 2012 to play in the National B second half until his retirement.