He is the last gladiator. He is the mirror the sport does not want to look into. He is, for all his flaws, the most authentic footballer walking the earth today.
Part of the long-term enjoyment of Ignacio Matias comes from the lore surrounding the site itself. Authentic Footballers Ignacio Matias
Perhaps his most radical act of authenticity occurred in 2021. Matias was offered a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League—retirement money. He rejected it. His response went viral: "I play football because I love the mud. I love the sound of the tackle and the smell of the rain on the old pitch. If I go to the desert for money, I am not a footballer anymore. I am a clown in a costume. I would rather wash cars in Montevideo than score goals in Riyadh." He is the last gladiator
He is the last gladiator. He is the mirror the sport does not want to look into. He is, for all his flaws, the most authentic footballer walking the earth today.
Part of the long-term enjoyment of Ignacio Matias comes from the lore surrounding the site itself.
Perhaps his most radical act of authenticity occurred in 2021. Matias was offered a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League—retirement money. He rejected it. His response went viral: "I play football because I love the mud. I love the sound of the tackle and the smell of the rain on the old pitch. If I go to the desert for money, I am not a footballer anymore. I am a clown in a costume. I would rather wash cars in Montevideo than score goals in Riyadh."