Former Manager Floro Hails De Nigris' DependabilityAntonio De Nigris touched many lives. As a footballer, he won over supporters in his many stops across the world. As a pupil, he won over hearts of his managers.
The 31-year-old footballer died Sunday of a heart attack in Greece.
Former Monterrey manager Benito Floro told Spanish daily Marca that De Nigris was like a son and said the loss has hit him hard.
"He was like an adopted son of mine. How do you think I should feel?" Floro snapped when asked how he was handling the loss. "We talked once or twice a week and every time he visited Mexico, he would always come see my family."
Floro and De Nigris teamed up with Monterrey in 2000. Floro gave De Nigris his footballing debut when De Nigris appeared as a substitute in a 5-0 loss to Morelia on Feb. 6, 2000. Floro said he saw talent and potential in De Nigris well before then.
"He was a youngster who played in the youth divisions and rose to the first team because he had some strong qualities," Floro said. "Even though he was very young, he joined the first team and soon was able to play internationally, and he scored two goals against Brazil."
De Nigris' shining moments for El Tri came during a 3-3 friendly result against Brazil, when he smashed a full volley for a goal, then ran to the corner flag, ripped it out of the ground and held it high above his head.He also scored two goals in a World Cup qualifying match against Jamaica in 2001, a 4-0 win for Mexico.Floro also helped De Nigris emigrate to Spain as Floro was in charge of Villarreal in 2003 when De Nigris made the leap from Mexico to Spanish football, his foray abroad.
Floro said De Nigris was dependable on and off the field.
"I always trusted in him as a footballer and as a person," Floro said. "He was a strong man."
(goal.com)
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