Ex-Unión player: "Argentine football is just too stressful" | OneFootball

Currently, Adrián Balboa, former Unión player, has a contract with Racing until December 31, 2027. During the season, he played 40 official matches, scored 7 goals, provided 1 assist, and accumulated 1,400 minutes on the field, with 16 full games, being a regular rotation piece within the academic squad.

In an interview with El Espectador Deportes of Uruguay, the striker—who also played for Sarmiento, Patronato, and Belgrano—stated that Argentine football is “the toughest football of all the ones I’ve played.” He was blunt when describing the atmosphere experienced week after week: “You lose a match and the week is horrible, whether you’re at a big club or a small one.”

“Getting relegated is the worst thing that can happen to you,” said Adrián Balboa

Balboa went deeper into the daily intensity and the competitive mindset that runs through the squads. “Every day you compete with your own teammate, always at the highest level. Getting relegated is the worst thing that can happen to you,” he explained, emphasizing that the demands make no distinction between crests or contexts.

The Uruguayan forward was also clear when stating his current stance regarding his future: “I wouldn’t want to leave Racing, but I would like to leave Argentine football. If I ever leave, it will be to Uruguay or another country.” While he said he listens to offers, he made it clear that he currently feels at ease in Avellaneda.

In closing, the former Unión striker shared a more personal reflection on the emotional toll of professionalism: “I hope my son doesn’t like football. I love football, but the amateur kind, playing with friends. Professional football is complicated and ends up burning out many players.”

A sincere statement that exposes the less visible side of Argentine football: the constant pressure, the extreme competition, and the emotional impact that often remains behind the scenes.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.