Di María's return to Rosario Central fans: an unforgettable Saturday in Arroyito, with a goal, tears, and excitement.

It wasn't just any Saturday in Arroyito. Rosario Central made its debut in the Clausura Tournament against Godoy Cruz , but the Canaya fans arrived at the stadium with something else on their minds, ready for a party: it was Ángel Di María's homecoming after more than 17 years .

A day that had all the emotions, the anticipation of seeing Fideo, a scream of goal that shook the bones , and the tears at the end from the stomp that sent him off the field.

The prodigal son had just played in the Club World Cup with Benfica , where he scored four goals, all penalties, and on the Rosario afternoon he would repeat his feat , but wearing the shirt of his beloved team . But this isn't the time for spoilers.

From the warmth of the United States to the warmth of the thousands of Central fans in the Argentine winter . That's why Fideo scored the 1-0 against Godoy Cruz and took off his jersey to celebrate.

The match actually started three or four hours before referee Dóvalo's whistle: the fans wanted to get to the stadium early so they wouldn't lose their spot in the popular section, which was packed as ever. There were lots of families and a large young crowd who grew up watching Angelito triumph from a distance. The Qatari hero was returning home.

The road to the giant is punctuated by a bondiolita , which costs between 7 and 8 thousand pesos depending on the amount added. But the busiest stand is the one with the fake jerseys with Fideo's number 11: they're 25 thousand pesos , a galaxy cheaper than the 150 thousand that the original costs. A tide of gold and blue crosses Parque Alem directly to the stadium.

Inside the field, an Argentine flag with the phrase "Thank you, Chiqui" stands out due to its colors, making a stir among the fans who stare at it in surprise. "Central is ready to be champion," say the most football-minded, as if to change the subject and get into the game. The excitement generated by Holan's team, a star of last season's tournament and now reinforced by Di María and Alejo Véliz, another moving return, is enormous. But in football, the unpredictable rules prevail.

"Fideeeeeeeeo," "Fideeeeeeeeo," shouted the Canaya people, the ones who burst their hands to applaud Angelito and then exploded their throats in gratitude to the man who scores penalty kicks. "We'll be around the whole time with Di María's help," they shouted and dreamed of in Arroyito.

Not even misfortune wanted to miss Di María's return to Central. Because of that unexpected stomp, the tears of the man who won it all, and the Mendoza team's equalizer.

ANGELITO WENT AWAY IN A CART 🛻 Di María was replaced after being stamped on

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"We've recovered from worse," one commented as they left. All the "canayas" know this, Fideo can confirm.