Hernán Encina returns to barrio football while working with his father as a bricklayer | OneFootball

Former Rosario Central midfielder Hernán Encina has resurfaced in local veterans football with friends from Las Flores, and is helping his father in construction.

“I enjoy the friendship of the neighbourhood and playing with friends. Today I am working with my dad as a bricklayer, I am not ashamed to say it,” he told La Capital.

He lines up for Los de siempre, who play veterans tournaments at Parque Regional Sur. A lingering ankle problem from his playing days recently restricted him to one half, and he also coaches local children.

He debuted on 27 October 2001 in a 1-3 defeat at Vélez, and two weeks later scored in a 1-1 clásico with Newell’s. He netted on his 6 March 2004 return against Racing, then sustained major knee and right ankle injuries.

After spells with Tecos and Atlas in Mexico he returned in 2008 to play for Colón, Godoy Cruz, Gimnasia and Instituto. Under Miguel Russo he won Primera B Nacional with Central and scored in a 2-1 clásico in 2013, then turned out for Olimpo, Talleres, Independiente Rivadavia and Guaraní Antonio Franco, retiring with 366 games and 28 goals.

“Omar was like a father to me and Russo took me back to Primera, I will always be grateful to both.”

He said few players made the big money, admitted leaving Mexico was an error that “could have been different”, and added that both Central and Newell’s fans have shown him respect.

Source: Radiogol.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”