“Out of nowhere” injuries: Caprio links Chaco For Ever's crisis stress | OneFootball

In a revealing interview on the ADN program on Radio Gol 96.7, hosted by Darío Pignata, Chaco For Ever goalkeeper Nicolás Caprio described the dramatic economic and psychological situation facing the professional squad in Argentina’s second division. Amid unpaid salaries, the solidarity of local shopkeepers, and the mental toll on the players, the Santa Fe-born keeper admitted he is seriously considering retirement.

Financial crisis and a “thank you” to the community

Late salary payments at the Chaco-based club have left the players on edge. It was only in mid-June that they received the first part of their April wages. Faced with a lack of resources, Caprio described the group’s daily efforts to get by: “We split up among every car we can find, we pile in together so we don’t spend money on gas.”

In his particular case, the situation is manageable thanks to his family, although that is not the reality for everyone in the locker room: “I’m blessed that my wife works, and with that we cover the bare minimum, which is food and a bit of gas… Many families help the guys, others simply can’t anymore.” He also warned about the delicate housing situation some of his teammates are facing: “The messages from landlords are always there… With all that on your mind, you still have to come to training.”

Within this difficult scenario, the goalkeeper highlighted the fundamental role of fans and local businesses in helping them eat every day:

“We have a butcher who sponsors the club… Gustavo, the butcher, tells me, ‘Come by, no problem, don’t worry, pay me when you can.’ And without that open-hearted support from people, from the fans, who help us a little, day-to-day life would be quite hard.”

Psychological stress and bizarre injuries

Instability in the club’s leadership and constant coaching changes — following the departures of Ricardo Pancaldo and Pedro Dechat, and while awaiting the formal appointment of Raúl “Chango” Cravero — have created a climate of deep sporting frustration. Caprio explained how concerns off the field directly affect the players’ physical health:

“My wife is a psychologist, so she says there is psychological stress that has an effect, that gets somatized in the body… There have been such bizarre injuries this year that you say, if this isn’t stress, then it’s something else… The player prepares, he’s professional, does his mobility work, does everything, but then he gets injured out of nowhere, he just gets injured.”

Wear and tear pushing him toward retirement

At 37 and with a long career that includes spells in international football, the goalkeeper acknowledged that the mental side is tipping the balance toward the end of his time as a professional player: “I’m seriously talking with my wife about these being the last months of my career because there’s wear and tear that isn’t physical… It’s simply mental exhaustion, you know? Coming to a place, seeing the situations, the tears of teammates who don’t have money to pay, who are being evicted and all that — it all adds up year after year, and it’s hard to cope with.”

Chaco For Ever will face Colón at home this Saturday, in a context where the squad is trying to shut out the debt issues and turn around its current form on the pitch.

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