The Manchester City idol who brought all the club’s trophies to Argentina: from the fanaticism for Julián Álvarez to the wait for Echeverri

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There are no doubts about the hegemonic role that the Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola and co, has managed to conquer the world of football in recent years. Especially last season, when they managed to relaunch the Champions League and became the second English club in history to win a treble (in addition to the Premier League and the FA Cup), behind Manchester United. However, we only need to go back to the end of the last century to know that not everything was always rosy for the city team: it was wandering in the waters of the Third Division while going through the worst moment in its history. And precisely in that context one of the greatest idols of the reigning world champion team would emerge. It’s about the Scotsman Paul Dickov, “the hero who changed history”.

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Just like the anguished goal of Sergio Agüero in the last Premier League match in 2012, which allowed him to be champion after 44 years, as well as the goal of Rodri To raise the first Champions League in its history, the institution itself explains that all this would have been difficult to achieve if it were not for the goal that Dickov managed to score at that moment.

To understand what pushed the Scottish striker to compete with idols like Kun, it is necessary to go back to the 1998-99 season. The play-off final for promotion to the second tier was underway and Manchester fell 2-0 to Gillingham. Even though he managed to get a discount in the end, all predictions indicated that the Cityzens’ agony in the lower categories would still be lasting. It would be there anyway minute 95 when Dickov will go down in history of the club by scoring the unexpected equalizer and extending the definition to penalties, where they achieved the victory and their respective promotion.

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The following year the club returned to the Premier League, from which it never left. In that context it would be as if in 2008 Manchester attracted the attention of the sheiks of the United Arab Emirates and was purchased by United Abu Dhabi Group. The drink-filled future that awaited him is well known history.

However, from the same institution they have never forgotten that Scottish striker to whom they attribute the contribution of leading the beginning of the path that three decades later would take them to the top of the world. Books have even been written about “a victory without which everything that has been experienced since would be unthinkable”, as cataloged in Manchester.

It is so, grateful to “integrate a small part of the history of the club”, currently Dickov takes on the role of Manchester City ambassador. Underneath that position is how he currently carries out a task that he was far from imagining during his time as a player.: View the latest trophies won by the club around the world.

Having started in the middle of last year with the tour called “Treble Trophy Tour” and having crossed 13 previous destinations on all continents, It was time to land in Buenos Aires for a high-end experience.

Clarion He took part in the trophy exhibition, where he was received by Paul Dickov to have the opportunity to speak hand in hand between each of the cups that Julián Álvarez was able to lift months ago.

Argentina was an impossible stage for City to avoid. The fact is that both have gone hand in hand in recent years. In addition to currently having the presence of Araña among its ranks, there have been several players from the world champion country who have managed to leave their mark on the English team. And Dickov himself is aware of the Argentine spirit that the team transmits.

We are lucky to have fantastic Argentinian players playing for Manchester Citywho are much loved in the club for what they have achieved”, confessed the Scot who has had a certain appreciation for the country since childhood, to the point of shouting with euphoria Diego Maradona’s goal against England at the 1986 World Cup.

With the Obelisk in the background, Buenos Aires receives the Manchester City trophies.  Photo: @mancityWith the Obelisk in the background, Buenos Aires receives the Manchester City trophies. Photo: @mancity

“It’s great to be in Argentina on this tour, it’s always been a country I’ve wanted to visit. I have been following Argentina and its football since the 1978 World Cup with Mario Kempesthen it would also be Maradona’s turn”, added the 51-year-old former player, who He has a special devotion for Diego being one of his favorite football players since his childhood. Even if he admits that in the balance he relies on the ability to Lionel Messiwithout ever forgetting the Kun Aguero.

It is impossible for City fans to think of Argentina and not immediately link it to their greatest idol and goalscorer of all time. And just before taking the flight to the country, Dickov had the opportunity to chat with the striker, about which he commented: “I was with Sergio when we met during a visit he made to Manchester in recent days.. I told him I was coming to Argentina and he took the opportunity to recommend some places to visit and others suggestions about what to do.”

Despite Kun’s retirement, the relationship between the Albiceleste nation and the English club continues to be increasingly close. This is also thanks to the goals of a player like Julián Álvarez, who has become one of the figures of Guardiola’s team and one of the fans’ favorite players.

Julián has always been a player who made a big impact in every moment he played., despite the fact that last season didn’t have the same footage as now. His attitude is fantastic, he scored important goals and is part of everything that was achieved last season. Without a doubt he will continue to grow as a player. In Manchester he is very loved,” said Dickov.

Paul Dickov is part of Manchester City's tour to Buenos Aires.Paul Dickov is part of Manchester City’s tour to Buenos Aires.

However, Julián will be accompanied in a few months, when the time comes for the arrival of a new compatriot in the ranks of the Cityzens: Claudio little devil Echeverriabout which in Manchester they are already starting to have illusions.

We are very excited about Echeverri. Follow a similar route to that of Julián. “Aside from the fact that they have different playing styles, both were signed but remained on loan at River for a while longer,” said the team ambassador.

He is a very young talent, very good. We believe it can reach a very high level of performance,” said Dickov, who also underlined Massimo Perrone as the club’s promise, and consequently highlights the number of players who have formed the Argentine dynasty for the team over the years.

Also remembering the footballers you like Carlos Tevez, Nicola Otamendi AND Martin Demichelis -who was present at the presentation-, Dickov showed a slight weakness for Pablo Zabaletta -in nine years- thanks “to the passion he had”. This is a factor that English fans want to find in each of their players and, according to the Scottish striker, every Argentine has incorporated it, as well as a “great technique and skill“.

Leaving behind the curse that the Champions League represented for the club, “silencing the opinions of those who wanted to win it for four or five years”, City is already evaluating new objectives: repeating what has been achieved in 2023. “It will be very difficult, although “The club is very strong and can achieve anything,” acknowledged Dickov.

Manchester City presents its trophies in Buenos Aires as part of an extensive tour around the world. Manchester City presents its trophies in Buenos Aires as part of an extensive tour around the world.

The turning points created by Buenos Aires, to thank the support that the club has received from all the fans it has in Argentina, This Saturday ended in the best possible way.

Almost 800 peoplemostly loyal supporters of the city team, they attended the Golden Center to watch and celebrate together the Manchester wins 2-0 against Everton, for the Premier League. Included the luxury of taking a souvenir photo with the trophies on display, chatting with the legend Paul Dickov.

The next and final destination will be Denmark, in what aims to be an unforgettable tour in the history of the club. However, who says that Guardiola, Julián and co will be able to maintain their hegemony and force Manchester to plan a new tour to Argentina in the short term.

Source: Clarin

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