All that surrounds Ignacio Malcorra is back in another season of football. His parsimonious and calm style, corresponds to his position as number 10 when there are diminishing exponents of the position. His “rollinga” cut, a style that peaked at the beginning of this century: neat bangs, shaved edges and long back, which is also compared to Mexican artist Peso Pluma. And also his brilliant punch. When he had the chance to win the classic for Rosario Central from a free kick with five minutes left, he did not choose a dry and violent shot, but a smooth, perfectly measured shot, unattainable by Lucas Hoyos in the Newell goal.
That execution released the delirium of the supporters of Gigante de Arroyito for a 36-year-old “vintage” hero who, after his entry 8 minutes into the second half, had little intervention in the game. Just one, a rare one, was enough to be the difference in the game, and members of Miguel Ángel Russo’s coaching staff rewarded him for the game by throwing him in the air, as they celebrated the European titles. Later, before the ESPN microphones, the hitchhiker made it clear that he felt the outcome was inevitable: “I have a lot of confidence in free throws. The guys kicked me, and thank God he got in.”
Malcorra’s big goal is to win the Rosario classic
Malcorra’s career also shows a player who never tired of fighting to get the space he enjoys today. He trained in the youth team of River, but did not make his debut because of the decisions of the former millionaire coach: “I was in the Sub 20 with Pancho Ferraro. And they told me that I should start playing in the First Division, to try to have some experience in the game to better go to the 2007 World Cup in Canada. River’s coach is Passarella and many players fall from the First Division to the Reserve and sometimes I don’t even play in the Reserve , but on the Fourth, on the Fifth. And, because I was in a hurry, I said ‘I’m going,'” he recalled about that episode. And he followed, but far from emigrating to Uruguay, as he agreed in principle , he left Comodoro Rivadavia to make his presentation to CAI.
His good performance in the Chubut team put him first in Aldosivi and then in Unión, where in 2014 he stood out in a remarkable way. In a telepathic connection with Enrique Triverio in the attack of Leonardo Madelón, Tatengue produced an amazing campaign that ended in promotion at the end of the year. But not content with that, the duo also took the first division by storm: that year Malcorra chained four consecutive matches against River, Independiente, Aldosivi and Vélez, and ended that campaign with 9 goals. and 9 assists. His good form led Unión to sell him to Mexico in 2016, and for five years he showed his talent at Tijuana, Pumas de la UNAM (where he beat Diego Maradona’s Dorados in the national cup) and Atlas.
His journey to the north lasted five years until he returned to the country to reach Lanús in the middle of 2021, and although his numbers were not as spectacular as those he showed in Santa Fe, even at 34 years old he was able to to keep trying. Garnet influence. His debut was unbeaten, with an assist and a goal against Atlético Tucumán, and after a productive year there Carlos Tevez called him to give experience to a very young locker room at Rosario Central. Apache did not improve in Arroyito, but its present with Russo is once again similar to what it experienced in Zona Sur, faithfully shown by the uninterrupted streak of the team, which has not lost at home in 24 games .
The only thing Malcorra lacks is the entry into the folklore of Rosario classics. As did his former teammate Alejo Véliz, when he broke into professional football with one of his usual goals before moving to the Premier League. His presence in this match was in doubt until the last moment due to the muscle injury he sustained last week. Russo trusted him, went to the bench of substitutes and then made his entrance.
His happiness after the game
Until the 40th minute of the second half, what happened outside the field was more important than inside the confines of the lime line. This classic is best remembered for the fights between the players after throwing a roll of toilet paper at Leonel Vangioni, or when Gustavo Velázquez escaped dismissal. Or for the back and forth between the fans of the two clubs, after Newell’s supporters launched red and black balloons and even a drone, which the locals shot down and raised like a trophy. But Malcorra brings a much-needed dose of football to a duel with everything but football. At the age of 36, he continues to add memorable moments to a cult career, in a thousand lives, counterculture, stainless.
