complaints, praise and chicanas from River fans who come to meet her

The sun peeks out from the side and with its rays illuminates the statue of Marcelo Gallardo. It is noon on Thursday, June 1, and since Saturday, May 27, the 8.10-meter-tall, almost 7-ton bronze mass stands uncovered facing Figueroa Alcorta Avenue, next to the entrance to the parking lot. from the club and a few steps from the entrance to the Monumental, the River Museum and the other great monument, that of Angel Labruna.

the statue of Doll it is behind a fence with fences and will be more protected when the glass partition that will go in front is ready. In any case, it is guarded 24 hours a day by the club’s private security agents. A few meters away there is a street stall selling River Plate products that next week will you have the miniature statue in stock. Its owner assures that many people have already asked about the mini doll.

Along the wide sidewalk, people walk quietly. River fans and members, and other clubs as well, tourists and the curious. Cyclists pass by on the bike path. And the cars that drive along the avenue slow down and brake. Everyone stops to look and contemplate the figure of the Doll. To take photos and selfies. To film videos. As if they were observing Michelangelo’s David.

“The statue of Gallardo is beautiful”, dice Ana MariaMendoza, who is traveling with her cousins, who nod and add in duet: “Why was there such a fuss if the face is perfect and the bulge isn’t such a big deal?” .

They refer to the repercussions generated by the statue and the controversy that arose around how the sculpture was left in general, and in particular the crotch area. “Gallardo is a beautiful person and he deserved this statue but I would say that they would have to fix it a little in the lower area” affirms, with shame, Maria Ceciliaalso Mendoza.

they think the same nidia y ayelenmother and daughter, who are from Paraná and are on a walk in Buenos Aires, who, although they highlight Gallardo’s courage as a coach, agree that “It is not to reflect it like that in the statue, it is exaggerated in the figure”.

Instead, for Soledada 50-year-old kindergarten teacher from Villa Urquiza, who went especially to see the statue when she left the kindergarten where she works, the work of Mercedes Savall, the creator of the work, must be valued. “I have nothing but praise for the sculptress. She is questioning the size, the arms, but there is no need to criticize so much. She did it out of love, admiration for a being who gave everything for the club since he was a child. They will always find a hair in the egg but you have to enjoy and come to take the picture “.

For his part, Danielfrom Carapachay, a 57-year-old River fan, clarifies that, above all, “Gallardo deserved the statue”but questioned the sculpture: “I would have liked the work to be more real. I see that the arms are out of context and well, what we all already know should be modified because I don’t think the Doll liked it very much. What he put in when he had to put in as a River coach can be resignified in another way, not this way.

In the same tune he expressed himself, Rodrigotwentysomething from Parque Leloir. “I saw it on videos and now seeing it personally, it seems to me that it was not necessary. It would be good if it was modified because it does not go with the principles of the club “he stated, although he clarified: “I’m still happy for the Doll, for everything he gave us, he is the best coach in the history of River and he deserved a statue.”

That statue whose idea was born on December 8, 2018, one day before the final of the Copa Libertadores against Boca in Madrid, and which began to be made after the epic triumph at the Bernabéu.

Precisely, at the foot of the monument, the rivalry that exists in every part of the country is reissued, with great folkloric sense, between two friends who are passing through the Monument.

–The monument to the Doll is perfect, nothing needs to be changed– dice Dantea missionary who took advantage of his stay in Buenos Aires to go to the Museum and see the statue.

–I am a bostero and the truth is that the statue is good, it has what it has to have– admits, resigned, Francisco59, who accompanied his friend.

–And look up, he has the Cup that we won for you-, pulls Dante.

And a round trip between the two is armed with pure Chicana and with good vibes.

“Too much Argentinian everything”he assures, between laughs and blushing, Catalinaby Pilar, while looking stunned at the statue.

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