Conmebol’s historic and moving tribute to world champions

Conmebol honored the 25 world champions, for the absence of Alejandro Papu Gómez, in “La Noche de las Estrellas” in Luque, Paraguay, and the president of the organization, Alejandro Domínguez, gave Messi a cane, replicas of the three cups won and a statue. Fernando Romero, the creator of the song “Muchachos”, was in charge of delivering the distinctions to Leandro Paredes, Ángel Di María, Nahuel Molina, and Ángel Correa. Juan Ignacio Zara, the boy who dressed up as Dibu Martínez in the celebrations on top of a van, distinguished Emiliano Martínez, Geronimo Rulli, Paulo Dybala, and Juan Foyth.Gonzalo Desantis, the fan who went viral for tattooing the results of the matches as soon as they ended, celebrated on stage with Rodrigo De Paul, Gonzalo Montiel, Franco Armani, and Thiago Almada. José Andrada, the boy who referred to Messi “as the greatest” and who was scared by his possible retirement, in tears and very emotional, paid tribute to Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Germán Pezzella, and Alexis Mac Allister. Belén Godoy, the frestyler who showed her talent with the ball in Qatar, gave the statullas to Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, Lisandro Martínez, Marcos Acuña, Lautaro Martínez, Cuti Romero, Exequiel Palacios and Guido Rodríguez. Just before Lionel Messi received the last recognition, Soledad Pastorutti took the stage and sang a song as a dedication to the captain of the Argentine National Team, along with images of his career with the blue and white. “It’s very significant for the dressing room,” Messi said. Minutes later, holograms of Pele and Maradona paid tribute to the best player in the world. Alejandro Domínguez confessed that he “fulfilled the debt” he had with the Rosario and gave him a replica of the World Cup, and two others of the Copa America and the Finalissima. “You lack the Libertadores,” the manager challenged him as a joke. “I’m fulfilled, it was the one I was missing. Thank God I was able to win everything in football, “said the Argentine star and anticipated that now “he has to celebrate the time he has left” as a player. Finally, the curtain rose and gave him a realistic statue of Messi that will remain in the Conmebol museum next to those of Maradona and Pelé. In addition, the Paraguayan decided to give a cane that symbolizes the “leadership and command of world football” to Messi.  The recognition of Chiqui Tapia and the coaching staffAlejandro Domínguez, on behalf of the entire Conmebol, recognized the Argentine president and defined him as “the best manager in the world”, after the Argentine National Team is consecrated in the Copa América, the Finalissima, and the World Cup.The Paraguayan leader recalled the moment he met his Argentine counterpart: It was on June 26, 2016 when Argentina lost the final of the Copa America to Chile and was “orphaned” of managers, a fact that strengthened the Argentine and led him to forge a great relationship. In addition, Lionel Scaloni and all the members of the coaching staff received mini-replicas of the trophies won so far.

Original source in Spanish