Argentina is he current world champion for beating France in the Qatar 2022 final and thus added his third star. Among all those who lifted the FIFA trophy alongside Lionel Messi, there was one who could have changed his destiny since in the past he received an offer from a League 1 club, but ended up ruling out that possibility.
We are referring to the second goalkeeper of the albiceleste team in that World Cup, Franco Armani. The 37-year-old goalkeeper, who a few days ago renewed his contract with River Plate until 2026, had the chance to come to Peruvian football. What team could you play on? Líbero will tell you the details of that anecdote that could change many things in the world of football.
Franco Armani renewed his contract with River Plate for two more seasons. Photo: River Plate
Franco Amani was close to playing in League 1
For this we have to go back to 2012. Armani He did not enjoy much continuity at Atlético Nacional in Colombia, a club he joined in 2010 after standing out at Deportivo Merlo in his country. For this reason, Ayacucho FC (at that time called You are Gas) sought to gain his services since they needed reinforcement in that position.
Armani had an offer from Inti Gas (now Ayacucho FC) in 2012.
The conversations were underway and it seemed like a fact that he would sign his name to play for the Ayacucho team. It was even said that everything was 90% defined. However, negotiations unexpectedly fell apart and they ended up signing the Paraguayan Mario Villasanti. One of the causes was the little interest of the person born in Casilda in coming to our country.
The decision not to come to Inti Gas changed Armani’s life
They say that determination can change your life. That happened to Franco Armani since, if he had played for Inti Gas Deportes, he would not have been decisive in winning a Copa Libertadores with Atlético Nacional in 2016, he would never have reached River Plate, much less been called up to two World Cups with Argentina , start two games in Russia 2018 and lift the title in Qatar 2022.
Armani was Argentina’s second world champion goalkeeper in 2022. Photo: Instagram