Salomón Rondón: The Venezuelan Who Sparked Fury Among River Plate Fans
Venezuela's national team is emerging as one of the standout squads of the 2024 Copa América, following their 2-1 victory over Ecuador in their debut match—a team also expected to perform well in the tournament.
One of the key figures of "La Vinotinto" is Salomón Rondón, the team's all-time leading scorer with 41 goals. Rondón, who hails from one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Caracas, almost switched from football to basketball, even wearing the number "23" in honor of the legendary Michael Jordan.
The forward has also been a true globetrotter, having played in Spain, Russia, China, England, Argentina, and recently in Mexico with Club Pachuca. However, his stint in Argentina with the giant club River Plate was not his most memorable experience.
Despite scoring 10 goals for the "Millonarios," Rondón stated on "La Vinotinto Podcast" that for him, River Plate "is just another team in his career." He also mentioned an undisclosed issue with a River player, who he claimed "insulted him."
Rondón's troubles extended beyond the club to Argentina in general, citing bureaucratic challenges. "I arrived in Mexico on December 28 and had my ID by January 8. In contrast, I arrived in Argentina on January 28 and didn't get my ID until August 7. That says it all," Rondón remarked.
These statements sparked controversy among River Plate fans, who did not take kindly to his comments about the club and the country. Despite this, both Venezuela and Argentina are aiming for glory in the 2024 Copa América.