Chilean football has had a bit of trouble setting standards in recent decades, apart from the odd bizarre affair. It will never be forgotten how half the national team in 2011, including the former Leverkusen player and later FC Bayern professional Arturo Vidal, shot out their lamps at a christening party for playmaker Jorge Valdivia’s daughter on the eve of a World Cup qualifier. “I just pour well,” Valdivia’s wife would interject apologetically years later.
Or how Vidal sank a brand-new Ferrari Testarossa into a ditch after a fun-filled visit to the casino during the 2015 Copa América. Apparently Vidal believed that his streak at the blackjack table was related to the consumption of a mixed drink that, in addition to bitter lemon and ice cubes, also contained large portions of vodka.
Chile’s football has now reached new dimensions: in the area of ”official player presentations”, on the occasion of Vidal’s return to his parent club Colo Colo.
On Thursday, the Estadio Monumental in Santiago de Chile was filled with more than 30,000 people who had stood in line in the shade in 35 degree temperatures. A few Vidal fans whiled away the waiting time with fights, but then there was no time for that anymore because a big show was on offer.
Vidal gets out of the helicopter in football gear.
(Photo: Esteban Felix/AP)
Vidal, 36, flew in in a helicopter and emerged from the center circle in full football gear. Even that was just a prelude.
Vidal’s first trainer, Hugo González, hung a cape over the shoulders of “Rey Arturo”, or King Artur, then a sword was handed to him and a crown was placed on his head. Even that experienced an increase. Racehorse lover Vidal mounted a thoroughbred, rode a lap of honor across the lawn and waved to the crowd. By the way, worries about the groundskeeper’s heart are in vain; Vidal suffered his last meniscus injury in September right there, in the Estadio Monumental, which is a veritable field.
During his inaugural speech, Vidal sheds tears – and promises to win the Copa Libertadores.
(Photo: Esteban Felix/AP)
It goes without saying that Vidal cried during his speech to the people and promised to win the Copa Libertadores continental competition. Only one question remained unanswered: What will Colo Colo do if the next personnel change becomes a reality? Chile’s record champions are currently negotiating with another former Bundesliga professional: Paolo Guerrero, 40, still active at LDU Quito, employed at HSV and FC Bayern at a young age. The imagination knows no limits. Colo Colo es Chileas the saying goes, and that means: pretty crazy.