Grondona and Messi, a paternal relationship that was reflected in every meeting. Photo: TELAM.
On July 30, eight years have passed since the death of Giulio Humberto Grondona, a longtime leader who headed the AFA for more than three decades. Even today the surname Grondona has a weight in Argentine football, and for this reason the declarations of the son have repercussions.
This is the word of Humberto Mario, the oldest of the Grondona. Since his father’s departure, ‘Humbertito’ has continued to deal with technical direction and recently also ventured into the role of sports consultant at the Miter de Santiago del Estero. The truth is, he has been talking to the program in the last few hours Supersport radioand left several titles.
You know the relationship between Grondona and Diego Maradona did not end in the best wayjust as it is in the public domain that Julio Humberto he maintained an almost fatherly bond with Messi, the other great figure in the history of Argentine football. In this interview, the son of the historic AFA president deepened these links.
“For my old man, Diego and Leo were his children. He loved them both equally, with the difference that Diego forgot everything my father helped him with, and Leo didn’t. One was reciprocated, the other not “, commented ‘Humbertito’, who weeks ago had revealed some of the intimacy of that team led by Diego at the World Cup in South Africa.
“Messi took a plane from Barcelona, stood in front of my old man’s drawer and cried for a rush hour. He stayed there and we left him alone. I saw him and thought about how much he was good old man, “added Humberto. Rosario was one of Julio’s weak points, and these statements show that this love was mutual.
“My father helped him a lot when Messi was just starting out at Barcelona, because he didn’t make a lot of money. Messi’s first big contract was won by my father with Adidas. The love my father had for Lio. it was like the love of a son, as he did with Diego at the time, when he honored him as the coach of the Argentine national team, “added Humberto.
Julio was veiled in the AFA premises and that afternoon, Messi was part of the last goodbye without being caught by the cameras. Rosario arrived from Barcelona and went straight to the vigil. In his social networks, Leo reflected his pain with the following words: “It is a very sad day for football, for all of Argentina and for me”.
Riquelme, Angelici and the premonition of Grondona
Just as Julio came to have a relationship that went beyond the pro with Messi and Maradona, he was also able to cultivate a bond with another Argentine football landmark, such as Juan Román Riquelme. From the radio panel, “Humbertito” was asked how his father would get along with this leader Riquelme, and the eldest of the Grondona was energetic.
“The relationship would be great. He always said ‘Roman is very smart’, make no mistake. The affection he had for Riquelme … My old man wasn’t stupid, he was more alive than anyone. It was he who told Angelici to fix Riquelme’s contract, because at some point in his life Riquelme would wear it. It hasn’t solved. Roman wore it, won the election. He didn’t listen to it, “he said.
Source: Clarin
