One of the most controversial transfers in recent years in Argentine football was that of Mauro Zárate From Vélez to Boca. Is that the idol of the fort, of a family hyper linked to the V bluishdecided to go to Boca in July 2018 and generated an immense stir. Crossed out murals, erased tattoos, insults and even threats to him and his intimate circle, and also, fight with his brothers. Now, almost seven years later the silence broke.
In an exclusive interview with Clank!the recently retired from professionalism revealed many unknown details of that event that shook Argentine football. In those winter months of 2018 when he arrived in Boca, he went from everything. But for the first time he told how he took step by step and even confessed that he spoke with the bar because he did not charge his salary.
It is worth clarifying that when the controversial transfer was still fresh, Boca and Vélez crossed in a direct elimination duel. On that occasion, the series was defined in the penalties and Mauro Zárate himself was one of the kickers. After converting, he relied strongly with the scream of goal, which revived the crossfire.
“I never thought I was going to have a problem with my brothers”was the first thing Mauro said in relation to the controversial transfer. It should be remembered that the Zárate brothers (Rolando and Sergio) also played in Vélez and, like him, they are very dear to the fans. But after what happened, incredibly the relationship was lost and no longer has a link with them.
Then, former Lazio and Inter from Milan continued: “I did not want to continue with what the President (Sergio Rapisarda) was proposing at that time, because he was behaving very badly. I had made six spectacular months. The call or payment did not arrive either. Nothing came. So there I talked to my brothers and with Nati (His wife)“.
In this dialogue with Juan Pablo Varsky, he revealed another unexpected detail: “I talked to Vélez’s bar and told them: ‘If you can charge, call me and make half and half …'”. To which seconds later completed: “It hurt a lot and at that moment I get to apologize to the people because I had missed my word, and I still say it”.
The former striker who also went through Fiorentina and Watford in European football, redoubled the commitment of his actions with the club. “I don’t think there is another person who has done what I did, to play twice free. First I did it when they sell me to the West Ham (in 2014), I terminated contract and I did not charge anything. And now when I returned the last time, either, “he said.
On the relationship he lost to Rolando, his closest brother and with whom he shared a huge passion for football and Vélez, Mauro said: “The reaction Roly had was very surprising. My other brothers were also surprised … We generate evil to my old people, who are no more. That’s it. They are fine and the family is fine, that’s the important thing. ”
As for his withdrawal as a professional, in the name of the players he said: “We are going to be players all your life. Then you can be a technician or representative, but you are a whole life player.”. On the decision to leave football, Mauro explained: “I don’t play anymore, I dedicate myself to enjoy and travel. I already had it almost decided.”
His absence in the Argentine National Team
A spine that left Zárate during his career was not being able to represent the Argentine National Team. Despite playing the 2007 U-20 World Cup in which he formed a spectacular pair with Sergio Agüero and scoring the goal of the final to consecrate champion, the following year he stayed outside the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
From then on, it was not summoned to the national team. “I think I could have played against not knowing where I was going to play. I was between Al-Sadd and other things. When I was in Lazio, there was already Diego (Maradona) In the selection and I always waited for your call. In a game for a foundation he told me on his face, but the call never arrived, “he admitted.