Iván Tapia, Chiqui’s son who “speaks on the pitch” and wants to write his story at San Lorenzo

He is 25 years old and has played his entire career defending the colors of the Azzurri Central Barracks, wandering from the waters of Metropolitan B to those of the First Division. He became a point of reference for the club with 191 games under his belt and even wore the number ’10’ along with the captain’s ribbon. This is how ‘s career began Ivan Tapiathe brand new reinforcement of Saint Lawrence at your request Ruben Dario Insuawho despite the step forward in his career, carries with him the weight of his surname in the football field.

The situations in which he was placed in that group of “the son of…“Yes, because on the back of the shirt it bears the surname of Claudio -or Chiqui-, the president of the AFA.

In the world of sport it is a daily phenomenon to see how the descendants of various characters inherit the same passion as their parents. When these types of situations arise, it is inevitable in popular opinion that high expectations are placed on the young rookie and that he is generally observed with greater rigor.

However, Ivan’s case presents a small difference: beyond the fact that his father also leaned towards a life close to football, with a short career as a striker, he ended up distinguishing himself on the management side. First leading the Board of Directors of Barracas Central and then joining the AFA. Meanwhile, the Cyclone reinforcements opted for the opportunity to dedicate themselves to use his ability with the ball under his feet.

Despite this, it was impossible for Ivan not to be nicknamed “Chiqui Tapia’s son” in football culture, especially since his figure gained greater relevance with the arrival of Guapo to the Primera. Although the level demonstrated by the talented team leader did not go unnoticed.

The youngest of the four sons of the Argentine football boss began taking his first steps as a professional in 2015, when Chiqui was still in Barracas. However, Ivan’s best moments began to appear when his father moved to the Viamonte offices.

He will only start to show his full capabilities in 2021, when he will rely mainly on his strong ball-striking qualities, Rodolfo de Paoli It gave him the confidence to become the axis of the team that would end up gaining promotion to the First Division. At the same time, he has already had to turn a deaf ear to comments about his surname and any preconceptions about belonging to the team.

“We were convinced that he could join a great team like now. I decided to give him the captain’s ribbon and they gave him the number 10. I also spoke with him in which I told him that I felt identified with his game and his history because I “I was also the son of a former president of Chicago. In this way we managed to break away from every prejudice that bothered him.”recalled De Paoli, current coach of Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza, in conversation with Clarion.

As the games at the top of Argentine football progressed, Tapia’s level began to rise: quickly In his career he achieved 24 goals and 17 assists.

In 2023, Sergio Egg Swallow He was the coach of Barracas Central, where he encountered a version of Tapia as an established figure of the club and without prejudices that could harm him. “Iván is proud of his father and the surname he has. He recognizes that it is inevitable that many times the fact of being recognized as Claudius’ son appears”, he confessed. Swallowcurrently in Sarmiento de Junín, Clarion.

“He has a strong personality because he knows the importance of his father in our football. These are issues that don’t concern him because he prefers to talk on the field.. It may bother you, but if it doesn’t bother him, I shouldn’t either,” the coach said.

Rondina had no shortage of reasons for Tapia to remain a figure on his team. In addition to being instructed to “always give extra time”, thanks to the coach’s taste for practicing prepared plays, it was not difficult for him to distinguish Ivan’s high ball-striking ability, especially who explained: “He has one of the best shots in Argentine footballit’s a condition that constantly trains her.”

This is how the 25-year-old hitch became the team’s undisputed executor of set pieces. “Nine of the ten executions he carried out took place where they should have been“said the coach.

In this context is where De Paoli agrees: “He has a formidable punch, undoubtedly one of the most important at a national level. He arrives at a great moment at San Lorenzo, where he can grow much more”.

The arrival at his new club could also mean the ideal moment for Tapia to demonstrate his qualities in front of a larger audience and leave out some references to his father. “Iván is not yet fully known. It’s not a question of being someone’s son, but rather that Barracas Central’s matches are not the most followed. Now he will have a window and a different visibility”said De Paoli.

Rondina, in the same terms, said: “Everything he does will be thanks to himself and for footballing reasons, The surname neither opens doors nor closes doors.“.

After nine years at the club and good seasons in the Primera, Tapia decided not to renew the contract that tied him to Barracas until last December to look for new challenges.

Immediately several teams were interested in keeping the wheel, but a call from Boedo was what allowed him to take the big step he wanted in his career: he obtained the key that would deposit him in the world of the “big five”. “.

Whoever answered the phone, it was Reuben Galician Insua. In search of “greater volume of play” for San Lorenzo, the coach found the solution to his need in Tapia’s foot, which he soon convinced to transform into Cuervo.

“He told me he wanted me to be part of the team and that’s the truth His call was fundamental in making the decision to come“, declared the commitment before undergoing the medical examination and signing a one-year contract with the club.

Despite never coaching him, Tapia’s style of play has perhaps become a weak point for Gallego in recent months. The fact is that the midfielder knew how to share the Barracas Central squad Rodrigo, son of Insuafor the whole of 2023. That’s why, while the Ciclón coach went to the Claudio Tapia stadium to cheer for him, with his whole body, he also looked at Ivan.

“He is a midfielder who can play different roles in the middle of the field. In my time he played both in the line of two central midfielders and in the internal position. Given his condition, he was expected to make this step. . He has everything to prove that he is capable of playing in a great team. ” Said Rondina when it came to defining the new reinforcement of the Ciclone.

From Barracas Central to San Lorenzo, non-stop. From starting to fight for a place in a Metropolitan B team to competing in the Copa Libertadores. “It will be my first international cup in which I will have to play and the truth is that it is crazy. I hope it goes as all the Ravens expect”wished the midfielder.

“His biggest dream was to be promoted to the First Division by playing with his team, and he achieved it. Then he was able to play in a great team, where now he will have to show what he is made of. He is capable of playing in a important team,” he revealed. Di Paoli, trusting in the characteristics of who he considers “a brother”.

And he added: “We still have the promise of meeting again abroad, but for this I will also have to test myself as a coach”.

Likewise, family history appears to be a factor plaguing Tapia’s career. In San Lorenzo he also finds a new relationship with his blood: his grandfather, Washington, was a Cyclone fan.

“I’m very happy to be able to reach one of the big five”declared Ivan, who despite showing off movements that recall the old hitches, tries to continue writing his own history in the pages of Argentine football.