Nicolás González’s revenge: from “I’m really salty” to the goal against Colombia :: Olé

Nicolás Iván González (26) spent almost a year shaking his head for every shot that didn’t reach the net. He was a champion and still regretted it. “They’re going to curse me because I missed a lot of goals. It doesn’t fit me, I’m really salty“He said in the middle of the celebrations for his second Copa America. He didn’t care about having another title in the stands: his frustration weighed more. That was the case until Tuesday in Barranquilla, when the arms akimbo turned into two clenched fists and the laments into an unbridled cry to the sky.

Against Colombia, the attacker scored again with the Argentina national team jersey after 11 months and 27 days. It was against Bolivia on September 12, 2023, also for the Qualifiers, the last time he had celebrated one of his goalsThe year-long drought sparked strong self-criticism in the player, who in July took advantage of Nicolás Occhiato’s invitation to stream to ask fans to “be happy” and not “swear at him.”

And revenge arrived. A weak pass from James Rodriguez with no clear recipient became the ideal opportunity to achieve it. The footballer who came from Argentinos interrupted the course of the ball in the center of the field and ran at full speed down the left to define under the legs of Camilo Vargasan old acquaintance whom he met at CEFFA during his time at the Semillero del Mundo.

A few weeks ago, at the match in the United States, the Juventus signing played an important role despite the fact that the statistics do not reflect any goals. His constant effort in the final metres led to the applause of Lionel Scaloni, who He sees him as the natural replacement for Angel Di Maria: an indication that was evident in this double FIFA date, now without Fideo on the field.

This is the same Nico who, although in Europe he established himself as a 9, already He stood out even when he was positioned as a left backIt’s no coincidence: he was always a midfielder on that side of the pitch until Gabriel Heinze put him on wing. “They were the same movements,” he explained to Olé some time ago. He was later placed as a playmaker, but he feels comfortable anywhere on the pitch. A useful card for the deté.

Far away was the idea of ​​retirement that he amassed at the age of Eighth, when He told Fernando Batista that he wanted to stop playingThe reasons? The long journey from Escobar to Bajo Flores demotivated him and, as his body was not developing, he got tired easily. But Bocha, convinced of his qualities, refused to let him go. “Thanks to him I am here,” he returned the gesture more than once.

Two weeks after his arrival in Turin after an excellent season at Fiorentina, the striker returned to scoring. The last time he did so at club level was in June in the 3-2 win over Atalanta. And now, with his celebration with Argentina, He is excited about the commitments that will take place in a month against Venezuela (10/10) and Bolivia (15/10). The future has already arrived…