Leonard Ponzio He lived his great night farewell to football in his tribute match played this Wednesday before more than 40 thousand people in the Monument Stadium from the porteño neighborhood of Nunezin 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 emerged in Newell’s Old Boys and who played eight seasons in the Royal Saragossa was the great protagonist of a night that began with an impressive show of lights and pyrotechnics that served to raise the curtain on a very exciting day and the stellar entrance of Ponzio to the Monumental.
“You made me like this, 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 among the few words that could outline Ponzio before kickoff in a voice cracking with emotion.
The most successful player in the history of River with 14 titles received a plaque from the current president before the match Millionaire, Jorge Brito and its predecessor Rodolfo D’Onofrio.
The “Leon” played 358 games and scored 10 goals in the two seasons he played between 2007-2009 and then since his return in 2012 to play in the promotion the second part of the National B until his retirement.
Ponzio started his career in Newell´s in 2000, he was champion with the Argentine Sub’20 in 2001 and played nearly 250 games in Saragossa in 10 seasons, although his career will always be linked to River and therefore his well-deserved farewell party.
After the rituals it was the turn of the ball that was caressed for the last time as a player by 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” had 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, Ignacio Scocco, Javier Pinola, the brothers Diego and Gabriel Milito, Fernando Belluschi were some of the protagonists of 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 was the work of a penalty by his own Leo Ponziowho was honored in the 23rd minute with a standing ovation and with posters in the stadium that read “Leo Ponzio, the most champion”, “Capitán Eterno” and “23″, and a chant that prayed “that hand in hand, from Leo Ponzio, we are all going to turn around”.
In the second half there was an emotional moment when Augusto Batalla left the goal and gave his place to Enzo Pérez, recalling that remembered night when the midfielder on that May 19, 2021 occupied the ‘millionaire’ goal for Copa Libertadores against Independiente Santa Fe .
It was precisely the great protagonist of the night, Leo Ponziowho had the pleasure of stopping a penalty against Enzo Pérez himself until in minute 23 the daughter of the honoree, Paula entered the field to hug his father and in the emblematic minute 23 determined 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 of today. I hope it happens again because this is inexplicable. Thank you all. Now I am indebted to all of you for all the love I received today because it is so great. Thank you for making me live a magical and unique night, ”were Ponzio’s farewell words in an emotional hug with his daughter.
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