The 34-year-old s brilliant talent on the pitch was held back by chronic injury problems, which dogged him throughout his time at the Bernabeu and afterwards during spells with the likes of Roma, Valencia and Boca Juniors.
His most recent setback – the latest in a long line of serious Achilles and knee problems – came in January 2020, when he suffered a ligament tear while playing for Velez Sarsfield, ironically against future employers Aldosivi.
And while the elegant midfielder did manage to return to playing post-Covid 19 quarantine, he was ultimately forced to hang his boots up at the end of the year.
“I will continue linked to football, whether it s as a coach or director of football,” Gago vowed back in April 2020 to
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Now, a new Veron has appeared.
Deian, 20, made his first-team debut for Estudiantes at the weekend, keeping up an incredible family tradition which has seen three generations take the field for the club in a connection which spans the best part of six decades.
Such familial continuity is almost unheard of at the top level of the game. Daniel Maldini s Milan bow back in February 2020 saw him follow in the footsteps of greats Cesare and Paolo, after brother Christian fell short and pursued his career at a lower level in Italy.
Penarol, meanwhile, was the home of midfielder Juan Carlos Corazzo as well as his son-in-law Pablo Forlan and grandson Diego, all of whom reached idol status at the Uruguayan giants.