Hernán Encina, former player of Rosario Central, surprised fans by participating in an amateur tournament in his hometown. At 44 years old, he works as a bricklayer alongside his father while playing matches with friends from the Las Flores neighborhood.
Encina, known as ‘El Sapito’, is part of the team ‘Los de siempre’, which competes in veterans’ tournaments. During a match, despite experiencing discomfort in his ankle from a previous injury, he shared his experiences training young people in the area and how his goal has been to keep kids away from the streets. “I enjoy the friendship of the neighborhood and playing with friends. I’ve always missed the Las Flores neighborhood,” he stated.
The former player began his career at Rosario Central and made his first division debut on October 27, 2001. He recalled his performance in the Rosario derby where he scored his first goal. Throughout his career, he played 366 matches and scored 28 goals in various competitions, including tournaments in Mexico and Ecuador.
Encina also spoke about his current job: “Today I’m working as a bricklayer with my dad. I’m not ashamed to say it, my arms won’t fall off for saying it”. Throughout his career, he remained connected to his roots despite the opportunities that football presented at a professional level.
The ex-footballer identified the death of his mother as the most painful moment of his life and highlighted the sacrifice of his parents as key to his success in football. He also reflected on his brief foray into politics, where he tried to help the kids in his neighborhood but concluded that it wasn’t for him.
With a career spanning 17 years, Encina is not only distinguished by his achievements in football but also by his humility and connection to his community. As his birthday approaches, he hopes to continue enjoying football and life in his beloved neighborhood.
Source: www.infobae.com
