Leandro Paredes revolutionized Villa del Parque and had an emotional meeting with his coach, Ramón Maddoni

Among the massive tributes to the players of the Argentine national team, who chose something more intimate was Leandro Paredeswho approached the facilities of the Villa del Parque gymnastics club and surprised his mentor: Ramón Maddon80 years old.

Yes, this Monday Paredes had a very special lunch. Along with his childhood friends and the person who discovered him and brought him to Boca when he was only 8 years old. And the place chosen was the restaurant working in the traditional gymnastics and fencing club, in the Villa del Parque neighborhood. A few blocks from the Club Parque where he played as a boy.

Paredes’ arrival revolutionized the neighborhood; And within minutes, a cascade of fans He was waiting for him at the door of the room to take pictures and the usual signatures. The world champion midfielder kindly agreed.

“Everyone talks about Paredes’ technique, but I already had it when I was very young. It was very common to see him putting passes between the lines. He has always stood out for his good punch. In Europe they taught him to take a little longer because he was a very submissive boy. He now he enters, close, use his arms. He has become a great footballer,” Maddoni stressed in an interview conducted before the start of the World Cup in Qatar.

lunch was relaxed and emotional. There were chicanes, laughter and memories, lots of memories. And behind the wheel of Juventus he was happy during his visit to the club which this year celebrated his centenary.

And Paredes not only greeted the fans who became aware of his presence and waited for him on the sidewalk; They also took photos with the workers in the dining room, both in the living room, with the wait staff, and in the kitchen area.

Paredes, like many of his teammates, continues in the country enjoying a few days off after claiming world champion in Qatar.

He has spent the holidays with his family and in a couple of days he will travel to Italy to join the Juventus squad, which will come into action on 4 January when they visit Cremonese.

Paredes’ relationship with Maddoni

Paredes’ relationship with Maddoni dates back to 2004. It was when the talent scout saw him playing in a match that Brisas del Sud – where the star midfielder played – faced Parque, for a baby soccer championship.

After the match, Ramón waited for Leandro’s family and asked his parents to take him to Boca. Then, Paredes’ marathon career is known: in 2010, at the age of just 15, Claudio Borghi promoted him to the First Division, and he never stopped from there. In 2014 he landed in Italy at Chievo Verona, and at Rome. In 2017, he spent two seasons at Zenit St. Petersburg until joining French PSG. This year he went to Juventus of Italy.