If there’s one payer I could have chosen to watch week in, week out, in MLS it was Ignacio Alberto Piatti.
I feel fortunate.
Yes, there was always the argument suggesting the star-player’s wages could be better deployed to help the team, and I get that, but watching LIVE, in the flesh, seldom has a player provided so much excitement, so much pleasure.
He put bums on Stade Saputo seats, and frequently lifted them off those seats again!
He was a difference maker, he made an impact. Some would say... he was the Impact.
Yesterday, amidst barely any fanfare, his retirement from playing was announced, his last act, 90 minutes on the bench for Racing Club of Buenos Aires in the final league game of the season, a 2-1 win over Godoy Cruz, one of the former clubs of Hernan Bernardello.