Thanks, Pulga: Brigadier López bids farewell to a Colón great | OneFootball

El Brigadier López dressed up for a celebration to honor Luis Miguel Rodríguez, the team captain who gave Colón the first star in its history. On a cool night in Santa Fe, the Sabalero people responded as they so often have: they filled the stands to support one of those footballers who transcend results and become part of a club’s identity.

There was a bit of everything. A tribute video before kickoff, fireworks lighting up the sky over the Centenario neighborhood, and two teams representing different stages of the Tucumán native’s career. On one side, much of the 2021 championship-winning squad. On the other, friends who shared locker rooms, training camps, and hundreds of anecdotes along the way.

And of course, there was also football. Because Pulga knows no other way to live it. In the first half, he got the pleasure of celebrating again in the red-and-black shirt. He scored one of the goals in the champions’ team’s 2-0 lead, completed by Wilson Morelo, another name impossible to separate from that unforgettable triumph in San Juan.

But the result mattered least. What mattered was elsewhere. In the hugs. In the smiles. In the emotional stands. In that constant applause from fans who will never forget what the “10” meant on and off the pitch.

Pulga played for both teams. There was also room for family. Milo, his son, came onto the field and scored two goals to the ovation of a stadium that quickly understood that the tribute had already gone beyond any formality.

Even one fan had his moment of glory. He came down from the stands, took part in the match, and scored as well. Because Pulga’s farewell was just that: a people’s celebration. A night when everyone had a place in history. As if Rodríguez himself had wanted to give back, if only for a few hours, all the affection he received over the years.

“It’s an unforgettable day, a date that will remain like 6/4/21. I’m grateful to have played football. Always remember that I’m going to be just another fan,” said the Tucumán native near the end of the match.

“I will always stand by this institution that gave me so much, like Atlético. Hopefully this year we can return to the top division. Glory can’t be bought, that’s the truth. I’m very grateful, I will always be just another Colón de Santa Fe fan,” the Sabalero idol concluded.

The closing was left in the hands of Sergio Torres, tasked with adding music to a celebration that was already complete.

Thank you for the magic, Luis Miguel Rodríguez. Thank you for the rebellion. Thank you for delighting us with so much football. Colón’s affection for you will be eternal. Happy farewell, PR10.

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