Applause, balls, the coup from the national team and a World Cup in welcoming the River squad to Franco Armani in Miami

The River Plate team arrived this Tuesday evening in the city of Miami, in the United States, the place chosen for the second stage of the preseason, and shortly after gave a warm welcome to the goalkeeper FrancoArmanijoined after being crowned World Champion with the Argentina national team in Qatar 2022.

There were light blue and white balloons decorating the concentration dining room in the Marriot North hotel in Fort Lauderdale, where the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ delegation, without the doorman, had installed themselves shortly after 7:00 pm (Argentina time), after the flight that transferred them from Buenos Aires.

The man born in Casilda, Santa Fe, enjoyed a few days off with the permission of coach Martín Demichelis, after his consecration in Arab lands, and arrived shortly after to greet team members, coaching staff and the leadership one by one , among which were Enzo Francescoli, Leonardo Pontius -who wanted to see the details of the champion’s gold medal that he had hung around his neck- and Matias Patanian.

The latest was captain Enzo Pérez, who gave him a replica World Cup trophy so Armani could do the same podium movement at the medal ceremony at the Lusail Stadium, after beating France on penalties in the final.

All was decorated with applause that marked the rhythm of the hit that accompanied the Argentine national team throughout the tour in Qatar and the famous “Manyiiiiii…”.

In addition to this special reception from his team-mates and coaching staff, the club will pay tribute to him when the team officially plays his first game at the Monumental in the third round of the tournament against Argentinos Juniors.

The delegation also had a reception by a large group of local club supporters, who organized a banner in support of the players and new coaching staff.

Field work will begin this Wednesday at the Inter Miami sports center, the city from which he will leave only between January 9 and 11 to face Austin, where ex River Sebastián Driussi plays, in Texas.

Then they return to Fort Lauderdale to play the other two friendlies, against Millonarios in Orlando on 14 January and then on 17 January against the local Inter Milan the day before returning to Buenos Aires, where they will continue their preparation at the Ezeiza.

Demichelis’ first two competitive matches will be as a guest at home, against Central Córdoba in Santiago del Estero and Belgrano in Córdoba.

The presentation at the Monumental Más of the new coach who succeeds Marcelo Gallardo will only take place on Sunday 12 February, against Argentinos for the third round of the League Cup.