“There is not enough money to pay for the pride I have in having been in Independiente for 20 years, in having won so many championships and in having the affection of so many people.” Ricardo Bochini received the 2022 ‘One Club Man’ award from the Athletic Beyond the football heritage that he left a few years ago in Argentina, Botxa walked his humble sporting and human greatness through different corners of marked rojiblanco character.
Someone proclaimed that this annual award granted by the Bilbao club represents loyalty, love of colors and, above all, love of values. When the Ibaigane entity came up with the idea of establishing this award, in fact, loyalty, commitment, responsibility, sportsmanship and respect were pointed out as elements to be valued in those few footballers who developed their entire career in the same club.
Le Tissier, Maldini, Maier, Puyol, Billy McNeill and Giggs preceded Bochini in Athletic’s list of winners. El Bocha, however, has been the only one of all of them to appear publicly at the Botxo. A whole lesson of life and values.
Bochini, his relatives say, was applauded even on the rival fields. When the eternal 10 of Independiente was asked about what he gave people to be treated like this, he replied that “the respect that you have to have for all opponents. I wanted to win all the championships, but I always celebrated with my teammates and with my fans and I didn’t burden my rivals”.
Not only the human profile of stars like Bochini is passing to a better life in this modern football. His way of understanding and practicing this sport, a combination of art, class and creativity, would be difficult to sustain in these times when control and tactical discipline prevail over imagination. Big Bowl!
