The finale of Final tournament It brings together a range of spices that have great appeal. From the encyclopedic side that revives the old rivalry of the late sixties, to a head-to-head that expresses a clash of styles. Run And students They will be protagonists of a definition that has a historical antagonism; also a great coincidence Diego Milito And Juan Sebastian Veron. Both were successful footballers, they left their mark in Europe and returned with full force to bring about the return to the Olympics for their clubs of origin. These cyclical careers that they only had as companions SelectionOn Saturday he will face her in the presidential duel.
The two were elite players with parallel careers and not only represent DJ and academy fame; In addition, they express a management model that has breathed new life into their clubs. Because of their training on the other side of the Atlantic, both have similar thoughts. A modern vision and a little-known anecdote. Three years ago, Milito City visited Bell Country to see the Estudiantes training facility and chat with Verón. At that time, the former Racing striker stopped coaching the light blue and white due to differences with Víctor Blanco. “They exchanged ideas,” it was said at the time.
The truth is that Milito and Verón share a football DNA faked in the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. He prince (46) comes from Bernal and started racing in 1999 at the age of almost 20. His goal instinct catapulted him to stardom. In his first stint in Avellaneda, he scored 36 goals in 149 games and won the 2001 Apertura tournament. Witch (50) was born in La Plata and entered the Primera de Estudiantes in 1994. The son of a DJ idol like Juan Ramón, he debuted with twelve goals in his first few seasons. Then he landed in Boca.
Their paths diverged Europewhere both shone with their own light. Milito emigrated to Genoa in 2004, where it established itself as a deadly “9” and then exploded Inter Milan between 2009 and 2014: 175 goals in 332 games, including the historic double in 2010 (Serie A and Champions League) with two decisive goals in the final against Bayern Munich. Verón, an extreme midfielder, came to the Old Continent in 1996 and ended up there Sampdoria. He collected trophies in Parma, Lazio (Scudetto 2000), Manchester United (Premier League 2003) and Chelsea. The witch also played for Inter, but did not agree with the prince. He returned to Estudiantes in 2006 and had six wonderful years.
Both returned home savior. Milito landed in racing in 2014 and won the 2014 First Division Tournament in two seasons. Verón was the 2009 Libertadores champion. The national team was the nexus of these legends. With her elegance in midfield, the witch played 72 international matches between 1996 and 2010. She scored 9 goals. He was a mainstay at three World Cups: France 1998 (undisputed starter), Korea-Japan 2002 (led by Marcelo Bielsa) and South Africa 2010. His vision of the game was crucial in the 2007 Copa América, although the title was never won. “Playing with the national team was the dream of my whole life, an honor that has marked me forever,” he recalled. The games against England and Sweden on Asian soil shaped him.
Milito played 25 games between 2003 and 2011, scoring 4 goals. He shone at the Copa América in 2007 (where he scored against Colombia) and 2011, taking part in the qualifiers South Africa 2010. His scoring debut against Honduras in 2003 established him as a promising player, but injuries and tough competition took his toll Carlos Tevez And Rodrigo Palacio They limited their filming. “The national team gave me the chance to test my football against the best and although I didn’t achieve everything I dreamed of, every jersey I wore was a great source of pride.”confessed the former attacker. Verón and Milito were companions in the Copa America 2007 and at the 2010 World Cup. They shared the field in Argentina’s victory (2 to 0) against Greece in South Africa.
Now, as president, Milito and Verón have transformed their clubs In an Argentine football plagued by debt and forced sales, financial stability, youth development and talent retention are paramount. The prince took over the presidency of Racing in December 2024 and won the elections with 60% of the vote. In less than a year he won the 2025 Recopa Sudamericana against Botafogo and became the first man to win titles Football player, manager and president in the same club.
Verón, president of Estudiantes since 2014 (with re-elected mandates), was instrumental in the renovation of the stadium and even opened his own school, focusing on comprehensive training. Innovative, with disruptive ideas, made it clear that private investment is necessary to grow.
Faces will be seen on Saturday Santiago del Estero. The game takes place outside, exactly where decisions do not depend on a goal or an assist, but have a major influence.
Milito and Verón face their own final, which not only has to do with the result this Saturday, but also includes a plus in a hypothetical victory. While the prince would offset the pain of defeat to Flamengo in the Libertadores semi-finals and qualify for the top continental competition in 2026 Witch would emerge victorious from his dispute with the AFA. Winning the fight against Claudio Tapia and Pablo Toviggino would be a golden highlight.
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