Guido Rodriguez could not help but give in to emotion after West Ham ended their near 20-year wait for a Premier League victory away at Manchester United.
The World Cup winner had grown up watching his hero Carlos Tevez rattle in the goals in United red.
Ironically, it was Tevez himself who fired the Hammers to their most recent victory at Old Trafford, just weeks before the iconic striker would be added to Sir Alex Ferguson’s then-fearsome frontline.
Seventeen long years later, modern-day West Ham United heroes Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen netted the decisive strikes as tears appeared in the eyes of Argentine veteran Guido Rodriguez.
As a boyhood Man United fan who had watched on in awe as Tevez ran rings around Premier League defenders, this was a moment for Rodriguez to take stock and reflect upon a career in which many a dream has come true.
And while the World Cup-winning midfielder might not have made the impression he wanted to on English shores, Guido Rodriguez still owes Pablo Fornals a debt of gratitude after the former Hammers favourite recommended a spell in London to his one-time Real Betis teammate.
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Pablo Fornals recommended West Ham United to Guido Rodriguez
As HITC Football explained at the time, West Ham hijacked Fenerbahce’s pursuit of the experienced Argentina international last summer.
Jose Mourinho’s Turkish giants offered Rodriguez a deal shortly after his proposed switch to Barcelona broke down, only for The Hammers to steal in and secure his signature.
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“The truth is that it is different to all the leagues I’ve played in before,” Rodriguez now tells DSports. “There is an intensity. There’s not so much possession, there are more transitions.
“Even when you’re winning, you have to keep attacking and going forward. It’s very technical, but also very physical. You run a lot. You have to be attentive and catch that pace.”
Rodriguez hails West Ham fans and ‘spectacular’ London Stadium
This, in a way, may explain why a footballer so at home in the slower, more methodical pace of La Liga has found it difficult to adapt on English shores. Guido Rodriguez has never been the fastest. Now, at the age of 31, he has often struggled to cope with the up-and-down, back-to-front nature of life in the Premier League, even if he is still thankful for the experience.
Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images
Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images
“I really appreciate the challenge and intensity of the Premier League. I think this season has made me grow a lot as a player, as a person, and I’ve learned so many things,” he adds, having discussed a move to West Ham with two familiar faces last summer.
“The truth is I was surprised when I arrived, with the stature of the Club. I had been told about West Ham before coming here as I had met [Real Betis boss Manuel] Pellegrini and his coaching staff. I also spoke to Pablo Fornals. They all had great things to say about the Club.
“The stadium is spectacular. It’s very nice to play there. The fans make themselves felt, they fill the stadium every game. And, when we play away too, you can feel their support. In that sense, it’s very special.
“The season didn’t really go as we had hoped in sporting terms, but the fans have been very respectful. They’ve continued to support us right through to the final game, and for that, I’m really grateful.
“Hopefully, we can give them a reason to smile at the end of the season this weekend.”
West Ham face Ipswich Town on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on an underwhelming Premier League campaign.
Whether this is his last act in a claret and blue shirt, only time will tell. The man himself insists that, contrary to reports, Guido Rodriguez is not in talks with River Plate regarding a return to his South American homeland.
Not yet, anyway.