Merentiel, one step away from Boca: the Uruguayan who embittered River on the pitch and the Gallardos at a barbecue

Michael Merentiel already a new player Mouth. Or to be more precise, a couple of details are enough for him to become a Xeneize footballer: undergo a medical check-up and go to Brandsen 805 to sign his contract with the La Ribera club. The 26-year-old striker, ex Defense and Justicecomes from palmeiras on loan for one year and with an option to buy for 3 million dollars, and in this way he will be the second reinforcement for Negro Ibarra’s team after the arrival of the Paraguayan Bruno Valdez.

Merentiel, a Uruguayan with good footing, lots of dynamics and offensive fire, will be an interesting variation for ibarrawith which he was forced to debut in the championship Nicholas Orsini of 9 and a bit limited in the spare parts: blessedinterrupted; vazquezinjured and the young “Torito” Morales without settling on First yet.

Formed in the lower divisions of PenarolMerentiel made his pro debut in The Sisley Reservoir from the neighboring country and quickly attracted the attention of European scouts for his goals and finishes. The aurinegro gave it to the lorca of Spain and then to the subsidiary of Valencia, until “The Beast” (such is his nickname) accepted the challenge to play in Argentine football. Was Godoy Cruz the one who repatriated him to South America (he teamed up in attack with his compatriot, the unforgettable Morro García), and then lived his moment of maximum explosion with the shirt of Defense and Justice.

At Halcón de Varela he played 73 games, scored 25 goals and provided 8 assists. In addition, he has won two trophies: the South American Cup 2020 and the South American Recopa 2021. His good performances in the team led by Sebastián Beccacece have put him under the microscope of several powerful teams, including Riverwith Marcellus Gallardo interested in taking it to Núñez. But with the Doll he would have lived a separate story.

Finally the palmeiras who suffered it in the Cup Winners’ Cup (Merentiel scored on penalties that defined the final against Verdao) took out his wallet and in the midst of May 2022 He brought him to San Pablo to be part of a team full of figures and in which it was very difficult for him to stand out.

Merentiel played little in Brazil and only scored two goals for his new team, which is why the deal with Boca was resolved quickly and without too many complications. For the Uruguayan it is an opportunity to demonstrate that he can play for a great player from the continent. For Ibarra’s team, a footballer who can become a very useful reinforcement for what is to come, the league, the Argentine Cup, national cups and the proximity of the Libertadores, starting in April.

The history with the Gallardo

Merentiel shared a team with Nahuel Gallardo, son of Marcelo, who played in Defense and Justice. The good relationship between the two meant that the Uruguayan was invited to a dollhouse barbecue when the DT wanted to take him to River.

At the Monumental, Merentiel scored one of his most memorable goals in Argentine football. Not for the quality of him but for his scoring cry after beating Franco Armani, with a subtle touch from the left. “I’m a beast!” shouted Miguelito, facing the camera.

But back to the Gallardo house barbecue, Merentiel returned to celebrate as a guest. She so she told it in an interview with TyC Sports.

“I got along very well with the Gallardo family thanks to Nahuel and I got to share a barbecue with them. They tell many anecdotes,” he recalled slyly. And then he added laughing: “The only thing I did at home was take a bath because I got muddy after winning a game of tennis or football for Marcelo’s children. We ate the Gallardos and then I used the bathroom for them, ah”.

Two days after 2/2, closing of the market in Argentina, Boca closes its second reinforcement and continues to wait for what Huracán defines with the situation of Lucas Merolla. He is the central defender who wants the football junta and if he doesn’t arrive now he will do it in the middle of the year, when he is free at the Globe.