After 21 years of career, Lisandro Lopez decided to retire from professional soccer practice. Licha hung up his boots after two and a half seasons in Sarmiento de Junínbut it is an emblem of Racingthe club where he was born, with which he debuted in First Division and he lived his best moments in Argentina. This Tuesday the Avellaneda entity dedicated an emotional letter to him, which it published on its social networks, and the now former player responded with some heartfelt words.
Licha was formed in Racing and debuted in the First Division on June 14, 2003. He scored a total of 79 goals and won two titles, the Super League 2018/2019 and the Champions Trophy in 2019. But, beyond his numbers, he won over the fans for his desire, dedication, personality and unforgettable screams, like the one he signed as a bicycle kick against Independiente, in a classic that his team won as a visitor.
With the Academy shirt, Licha lived through three stages (2003/2005, 2016/2020 and 2021/2022). That is why today the club honored him with a moving letter. “You are at the center of my story and I am a part of yours,” reads one of its first lines.
“With emotion making my skin crawl, I dare to speak to you on behalf of everyone. Thank you. Thank you, all your life. For your goals, for your joys, for your talent. But, above all, for your love of these colors. You are the face of many of our happiest days,” highlights another passage of the letter, which generated a response from López.
In a story in Instagramthe tip He posted the image published by the Academy and wrote: “I love you and I will love you forever. Thank you Racing.”
The issue did not stop there since a former partner of his joined up front as Diego Milito. “You are one of the best players I played with. Wearing our shirt together is one of the things I enjoyed most in my career,” wrote the elected president of Racing.
In addition, Milito left the door open for Licha to return to the club. “Thanks for everything. Thank you for your football, but above all thank you for giving us so much. And as I always told you: your doors are open whenever you want.”
Lisandro also played in the Porto (2005/2009), Lyon (2009/2013), Al-Gharafa SC of Qatar (2013/2015), Atlanta United (2021) and Sarmiento (2023/2024).
His farewell on the playing field was this Friday, in the 1-1 draw between Sarmiento y Banfield. That day he entered 15 minutes into the complement Nicolas Gaitan. In the final half hour he knew how to be the protagonist and retired to the 41 years in good shape.
In total, during his campaign he played 723 games and scored 261 goals. He won 12 titles: seven with Porto, two at Lyon, one at Inter and two at the Academy.
THE COMPLETE RACING LETTER TO LICHA:
“It is difficult to write these lines to you. Where to start, Licha? If you are at the center of my story and I am a part of yours. I close my eyes and I see you running like a beast across court one of the Tita Premises: the enthusiasm of a kid from the interior, the talent that astonishes, that goal that makes Miguel Micó smile. I always wondered if you already imagined the moments we were going to live together. I will never forget what happened on June 14, 2003. Your debut at home, against Vélez, with flashes that anticipated the party to come. Because let’s be honest: how many people are capable of doing on a court what you did countless times in the Cylinder? No one was surprised that you crossed the pond. I said goodbye to you with the peace of mind of knowing that we were going to see each other again.
What can I tell you about what came next? We promised to turn over on sleepless nights. I saw you bitch at the world when a chance slipped away. But you continued. That’s how you are and that’s how we are. When they ask me who Lisandro López is, I quote what you declared after we were eliminated in the 2018 Libertadores: “This championship is the only competition we are going to play in and we have the obligation to be champions.” And you complied, brother. I saw you cry on the barrier, in the last free throw, on Tigre’s court. How could you not cry if you breathed that dream since you came to Buenos Aires?
I wish we could beat time. It can’t be done. We are older and we love each other as much as that first day. You were able to hug your people, those who adore you, three years ago. Now, with emotion making my skin crawl, I dare to speak to you on behalf of everyone. Thank you. Thank you all your life. For your goals, for your joys, for your talent. But, above all, for your love of these colors. You are the face of many of our happiest days.
Come whenever you want, Licha. We will be waiting for you. Maybe neither you nor I know, but we still have some page of glory left to write together.”
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