It’s a shame Martínez dreams of being the only player in River’s history to win three Copa Libertadores

Gonzalo Martinez is one of the players who will be recovered by Martín Demichelis. Pity returned in August last year to finish recovering from an external collateral ligament injury in his left knee. But in the 8 games in which he scored a goal he was barely able to play. That’s why the preseason will be crucial for the talented 30-year-old midfielder. “I really want to be the only River player with three Libertadores, I would love that. We have a great team that is ready to do great things and I am excited to do more.”the lefty released.

Relaxed and mischievous, Pity spoke to TyC Sports and ESPN from the US and left almost no topics to address. The possibility of being part of the great history of River is what motivates him most. It is worth mentioning that Pity won the Libertadores in 2015 and 2018, as did Leonardo Ponzio, Jonatan Maidana, Camilo Mayada and Rodrigo Mora. “I’m 30 years old, many more years ahead of me and I’m at a good level to represent the team”Martinez said. And he adds: “The start of the Cup must be good, whatever happens to qualify for the round of 16. But I try not to plan anything. I have to win it and I know what it means to win that tournament, but you have to go step by step. We have a great team to compete in all tournaments and if the final was played in our stadium it would be an advantage. But we have to be realistic and see how it goes.”

With the releases of Enzo Pérez, Jonatan Maidana, Bruno Zuculini, Nicolás De la Cruz and Matías SuárezPity will remain one of the team’s most powerful voices. “Because of what one represents, one has to be a reference, but I don’t think so. With my attitudes I try to give reference to the younger ones. I don’t feel like a captain, neither now nor in the future. I try to be a positive leader on the other hand. I’m happy to be at River, which is what I wanted. On the pitch I will demonstrate that I am up to the task and that I will try to do more. It’s a good personal challenge, I hope to stay there for a long time and this year we have a lot to play for”he declared. And he followed: “The youth teams are at a good level. I hope they can continue to learn. I’m in a privileged place.”.

The interview with Gonzalo Martínez is an inevitable link to the final between River and Boca at the Santiago Bernabéu. “The thirds in Madrid are moments you can’t imagine. For it to happen to someone with so many players is crazy: I was lucky. The most important thing is that we raise the title and remain in the memory. Seeing Javier Pinola running next to you makes you understand that it is a special moment. I wouldn’t have given it to him, I told him, but he accompanied me to glory. “I didn’t listen, I didn’t understand anything, the only thing I wanted was to finish the match there.”he condemned.

Finally, Pity spoke about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he shared a team in Saudi Arabia. “He’s a great person, he was one more member of the team. I take my hat off when I talk about him. Many things are said and when they are shared it is different. Being competitive and pushing himself so much to the limit he makes mistakes, but he is a great person, humble and everything he has earned he has earned on his own.”he confessed.