Ex-Boca star clashed with Gallardo, Messi, now admits alcoholism | OneFootball

If there’s one thing that characterized Gary Medel throughout his career, it was his temperament. His attitude was fundamental when facing important matches, and his drive to defend every ball as if there were no tomorrow was crucial. However, that same personality also led him to have some disciplinary issues. During his time at Boca, he is remembered for his outstanding performance in the 2010 Clausura Superclásico, in which he scored two goals and got into a fight with Gallardo. With the Chilean National Team, he became a two-time Copa América champion and also had a heated clash with Lionel Messi in the 2019 edition.

Gary Medel’s time at Boca After standing out at Universidad Católica, Gary Medel arrived at Boca on loan in 2009. He stayed at the club until 2010 and made a strong impression during that period. He went on to play in Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Brazil, until, in 2024, with Juan Román Riquelme’s support, he returned to the club. However, he only played 9 matches that year before returning to the club where he began his career. In total, Medel played 55 matches for Xeneize, scoring 7 goals and providing one assist.

The memorable fight with Gallardo

On March 25, 2010, Boca defeated River at La Bombonera with two goals from Gary Medel. The Chilean was remembered not only for scoring the goals but also for the heated clash he had with Marcelo Gallardo. It was the 25th minute of the second half when they confronted each other at midfield—there were shoves, attempted headbutts, and the Xeneize player stuck a finger in Muñeco’s mouth, who bit him. The altercation ended there, but minutes later, Medel was sent off.

Years later, Marcelo Gallardo recalled the incident: “If there’s anyone I would have liked to punch during a match, it was Medel. He had bad attitudes. Not everything that happens on the pitch gets told, but he put his finger in my mouth, a shitty attitude, so there were only two ways to react: with a punch or by biting him.”

The day he almost came to blows with Messi

On July 6, 2019, in the match for third place at the Copa América in Brazil, Argentina and Chile faced off. Lionel Scaloni’s team had just lost to the hosts and came out firing against the Chileans, so much so that by the 22nd minute of the first half, they were already up 2-0. At the 37th minute of that first half, Gary Medel tried to force Messi off the pitch; they ended up face to face, the Chilean tried to push him off with his chest, La Pulga didn’t respond, but even so, the referee sent both of them off. As time went by, the issue between them was settled.

Gary Medel revealed he was an alcoholic

Speaking on the Mas Titulares Podcast, Gary Medel stated: “I had an accident in Viña del Mar, I was returning to Santiago to train and I fell asleep at the wheel. Thank God, that day there were no cars coming from the front or behind, and nothing more serious happened. I went flying and didn’t get a single scratch.”

He also added: “I was in Bellavista, drunk, and the police stopped me. It was all over the news. But I never liked alcohol. I don’t drink now. Since that day when the police stopped me at 18 or 19 years old, I said I wouldn’t drink anymore, because I never liked alcohol.”

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