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ESMaidana: River’s unforgettable wall The defender’s career at “el Más Grande” has come to an end after eight and a half years, during which he became a key figure and example. He says goodbye carrying 11 titles on his back.
Jonatan Maidana came to River by mid-2010, starting an era full of joy, celebrations and laps of honour. The fullback quickly became one of River’s starters and, a few months later, he scored his first goal for the Club: against no other than Boca Juniors, at the Monumental stadium, winning 1-0.
After a lot of effort, Maidana became a fundamental part of River’s multi-champion team: the first achievement was the 2014 Final Tournament and, soon after, the Campeonato Cup against San Lorenzo. With Marcelo Gallardo, already on the substitute bench, Joni won his first international title with “el Millionario”: the 2014 CONMEBOL Sudamericana.
After celebrating the 2015 Recopa Sudamericana, Maidana delivered a wonderful performance in the 2015 Copa Libertadores, where he scored a momentous goal against Cruzeiro, in Brazil, contributing to the historic 3-0 that secured Gallardo’s team’s place in the semi-final. The rest is history: player N°2 lifted his first Libertadores Cup playing for “el Más Grande”.
As the years and titles went by, Maidana remained as one of Muñeco’s essential players. In the last few years, the defender became the team’s vice-captain and, together with Leonardo Ponzio and Gallardo, he lifted the unforgettable Libertadores Cup won against Boca Juniors in Madrid. He received a well-deserved ovation during the champion’s party at the Monumental stadium, an end worthy of a warrior who gave his all to the colours.
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