An afternoon full of emotions was the one that was lived in the Monumental Stadium. In front of 40,000 spectators, Esteban Paredes said his final goodbye to professional football, in a mega event that brought together many of his former teammates and friends, as well as a top-level friendly between Colo Colo and Colón de Santa Fe.
Much was speculated during the week about a possible ownership of the Tank in the cast of Gustavo Quinteros. However, the DT took the commitment very seriously and lined up a novel, but stellar formation before the trasandinos in which, in addition, contemplated the return of Maximiliano Falcón to ownership.
The goodbye of Esteban Paredes with the Colo Colo shirt
Everything revolved around the idol of the Cacique. The scorer had his number 7 shirt saved and a guaranteed place on the substitute bench. So, in minute 78, and when the score was 2-0 in favor of the nationals, he entered the playing field, unleashing a thunderous ovation in the commune of Macul by replacing Damián Pizarro.
Of course, the horsewoman ended up on the arm of the historic Captain who, immediately, positioned himself where he knows best, in the center of the attack. And in the minutes he was on the court, the idol of the Cacique showed part of his repertoire to pivot and, even, to have a goal practically in the small area, but that the Argentine goalkeeper was in charge of drowning.
Referee, do not whistle the end that Paredes is leaving us
With three minutes to spare, the Colo Colo fans expected them to go by as slowly as possible. The Eternal Scorer was living his last moments as a professional soccer player and He was fulfilling one of his dreams by saying goodbye with the shirt of the team of his love, in a packed Monumental Stadium.
La Ruca fell apart once judge Felipe González whistled the end of the commitment. The legend of the Eternal Champion dedicated himself to receiving hugs from the players on the pitch. So, all the attention turned to the center of the playing field where a tribute to the historical goalscorer of Chilean soccer was being prepared.
“He is not leaving, he is not leaving, Paredes is not leaving”
Between the chants of the fans and a visibly emotional Paredes, the Tank entered the field of play again to receive the last big applause from the fans. Together with his children, the former goalscorer, he thanked “his family, my children, my friends for the love, for the gratitude they have given me, It has been something very nice and beautiful that I will remember forever. To the fans, the truth is that I get excited when I see a stadium that sings to me. I am very excited, thanks to the club for opening the doors for me, to the coaching staff, props, masseurs, kinesiologists and everyone who works here. Thank you for this beautiful party”, were the words of an Esteban Paredes who, on the verge of tears, sang the last CHI as a professional soccer player.
“Today I will deliver a legacy to the generations that come above. I am going to give the horsewoman to the following generations so that they can be idols”. At that moment, from the sub 17s to the sub 11s they received the captain’s armband in the hands of Esteban Paredes himself, in a moment that they will treasure for the rest of their lives.
Goodbye, Captain
In an instance full of symbolism, the former Visogol gave an Olympic lap to thank all the fans who filled the Macul colossus, ending a story in which He converted 367 goals, of which 198 were with the Colo Colo shirt. Thank you for so much, eternal Captain, the Albos and Albas, will never forget you.