Nahuel Molina dedicated his first goal with Atlético to Angelito Correa, after the death of his mother

Nahuel Molina, the reigning world champion with Argentina in Qatar, scored his first goal for the rojiblanco team this Sunday, in his 33rd competitive match of his first season under Diego Simeone. In the 22nd minute, the Argentine completes a perfect counterattack with a right-footed shot against Rayo Vallecano.

Until now, the right winger had failed to score for Atlético, although he had contributed three assists to Atlético’s goals. However, as soon as he scored his first goal for Diego Simeone’s side, the Argentinian full-back looked like he was continuing to run to midfield to look for Angel Correa’s number ten shirt.

Last Thursday, the death of Marcela Martínez, the mother of the player from Rosario, was known. As it turned out, the woman had been battling a serious illness for some time. That’s why his teammates decided to pay homage to him this afternoon on the Rayo Vallecano pitch.

“Today is a sad day for the rojiblanca family. Atlético de Madrid mourns the death of Marcela Martínez, mother of our player, Ángel Correa. Our president, CEO, board members and all employees want to express our sincere condolences and we join the pain of family and friends” Atlético de Madrid wrote on their networks as soon as the news spread.

This is why today the Aleti players took to the field with a black armband as a clear sign of the mourning they are going through.

Molina hadn’t scored since the World Cup

Molina’s last goal dates back to December 9, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when he scored 0-1 in the 35th minute of the quarter-finals of the tournament against the Netherlands. It was Messi’s famous “what are you looking at, stupid” match that ended 2-2. Subsequently, Argentina would prevail on penalties with another memorable performance from Dibu Martínez.

“We knew of the importance and growth he has for the future. It’s true that at the beginning he didn’t know how to handle the regularity he normally gets in his game. Since the return of the World Cup he has started to have more regularity in his game. Physically, he works very well”, explained his coach, Diego Simeone, on Saturday.

“He’s a player who allows us in that bracket to have a lot of attack, good crosses, be continuously dangerous and he’s a fantastic age, he turned 25 the other day, and hopefully Atlético can have a winger to long time in that place”, he added on the eve of Molina’s first goal with the rojiblanco team.

With information from EFE