Argentine goalkeeper Franco Armani said goodbye to the fans of Atlético Nacional of Colombia on Monday because he says he is going to fulfill his dream of "playing for a very important team in his country," as River Plate is, with a view to the 2018 World Cup.
"I have expressed to the board of Atlético Nacional that they allow me to fulfill a dream that I have always had, which is to play for a very important team in my country. It is a desire," said the Argentine goalkeeper in a letter posted on his Instagram account.
The president of the Colombian club, Andrés Botero, confirmed last Wednesday that River Plate made an offer for Armani, who has a contract with the Medellín team until 2019.
The goalkeeper asked the leaders of both teams to come to an agreement to "make everyone happy" after having "personally taken charge" that Atlético Nacional "receives the economic compensation it desires and deserves."
Armani will play the 2018 Copa Libertadores with River Plate. (Franco Armani Instagram)
He also pointed out that this situation arises at a time when he "familiarly" needs to be close to his loved ones and that playing in Argentina could give him an opportunity to be "closer to the eyes" of his country's coach, Jorge Sampaoli, with a view to Russia 2018.
Armani also asked the fans of the club verdolaga to support him in the pursuit of his dream, thanked the opportunity to protect the goal of "such a respected institution and with so many football heroes" who preceded him in that position, and promised that he will return to the Colombian team someday.
The Argentine goalkeeper arrived at Atlético Nacional in 2010 and became the player who has won the most titles with the club: thirteen, including the 2016 Copa Libertadores, the 2017 South American Super Cup, and six Colombian leagues.
Source: EFE