Veron returns to football at 41

1 min read

7 years ago Society_Admin

Former Argentina and Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron makes his official return to the pitch on home soil on Friday — aged 41 — with his beloved boyhood club Estudiantes.

Veron retired as a professional player in May 2014 and has served as director of sports and now chairman at the club, based in La Plata, south of Buenos Aires.

He is donning the team’s shirt again to try to win the Copa Libertadores, Latin America’s premium club competition — and to promote work on his club’s new stadium.

“I will always feel like a football player,” he told reporters ahead of Friday’s match, an official pre-season friendly against Argentine rivals San Lorenzo in Mar del Plata.

On Tuesday he warmed up by playing in a closed-door friendly match against Bolivian side Sport Boys, which ended 1-1.

He had also played a Florida Cup match with Estudiantes in the United States on January 15.

“I felt better than I expected after such a long time,” he said after that game.

Veron played for top Argentine side Boca Juniors and European clubs including Lazio, Manchester United and Chelsea before hanging up his boots.

He said he will donate his salary as an Estudiantes player to the club.

AFP