Luis Aragones to Romario: “Look me in the face, to the eyes”

Luis Aragones He made history as both player and coach, completing an enviable resume. It was always a very energetic person with great temperament but, at the same time, beloved by all who agreed with him throughout his long career. Good, not for all.

In the season 1996-1997, The Sage Hortaleza’ as he was known Benitez, I had to deal with one of the great figures of world football, Brazil Romario. The striker had been the best player in the world a few years earlier, proclaiming himself World Cup champion with the ‘Canarinha’ and triumphing in the FC Barcelona. But nevertheless, the season in question was not easy for the Valencia, club in which they agreed the two protagonists of this story, nor for them individually.

Luis Aragones He had achieved the runner-up with Valencia a year before, maintaining a very nice duel with Atletico Madrid Radomir Antic of which achieved doublet (League and Copa del Rey) in the 1995-1996.

The following season, the set of Mestalla wandering aimlessly half of the table and nervousness was palpable in every workout.

LUIS ARAGONÉS AND ROMARIO

It was precisely in Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna where Luis Aragones He was the famous encounter with Romario. The technician, Brazilian sick, he protested his attitude in a work session that collected the television cameras with the famous phrase: “Look me in the face, Look into my eyes” which it made headlines in all newspapers and news.

Aragonese He did not finish the season, It was dismissed for poor performance on the day 14 League. Romario played very few matches (5), although very good average goal since he scored 4. Arrival at the dock Jorge Valdano He did not improve the performance of the team that finished the season in tenth position.

In a recent interview Brazilian forward, which now acts as the senator in his country, far from conciliatory and have good words for his coach then (also it has already passed) He defined it as “a jerk”.

SAMUEL ETO´O

Definitely, the relationship between the two was not the best. Also is true that Romario he was always a very peculiar footballer. Meanwhile, Luis Aragones has already had some contact with other stars throughout his long career on the bench. We still remember when he grabbed the chest of Samuel Eto´o when he was angry he was substituted in a match with the RCD Mallorca.

But nevertheless, this time, Eto´o he took it much better than Romario. In fact, the Cameroonian always stated that, for him, Hortaleza's coach was like an adoptive father from whom he learned a lot, not only when it comes to football.