Former Estudiantes de La Plata and Chacarita Juniors forward Matías Rosso is selling home-cooked meals from his bicycle in Rosario, Argentina, after losing his job and developing severe diabetic retinopathy in his left eye, Infobae reported. Rosso, who played in the Copa Libertadores during his top-flight career, turned to social media to advertise his food delivery service following a sudden decline in his health and employment status.
“Hola gente. Bueno era para contarles un poco la situación,” Rosso posted on his social media accounts, as reported by Infobae. “Estoy lamentablemente perdiendo la visión del ojo izquierdo, tengo retinopatía por la diabetes y una trombosis en el ojo. Y, bueno, ya que me quedé sin laburo. A partir de mañana voy a salir a vender sándwich en la bici.”
Rapid Shift From Elite Football to Street Vendor
Rosso’s professional journey peaked in 2015 when he transferred from Chacarita Juniors to Estudiantes de La Plata alongside goalkeeper Agustín Rossi in a dual deal. During his time with the Buenos Aires club, he experienced continental competition in the Copa Libertadores before moving to Aldosivi in Mar del Plata. Subsequent stints included Estudiantes de Caseros and Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta, where a foot fracture and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 ended his professional playing career.
ASCENDIÓ CON CHACARITA, JUGÓ LA LIBERTADORES CON ESTUDIANTES Y AHORA SE QUEDÓ SIN TRABAJO MIENTRAS LUCHA POR LA PÉRDIDA DE LA VISIÓN⚠️ Matías Rosso, de 33 años, vive un complicado momento personal. Después de haber tenido su última experiencia en el fútbol vestido con los… pic.twitter.com/EuWzDNivwr
Following his retirement from professional soccer, Rosso worked making food packages and selling sandwiches by bicycle in Rosario. He maintained that position for four years until his recent departure, which came after his employer required him to drive company vehicles—a task he could no longer perform safely due to his deteriorating vision.
“Usaba un auto que me daban ellos y no puedo manejar,” Rosso told Infobae. “Se me complica un montonazo. Creo que pasan los días y se sigue complicando.”
Health Complications and Medical Diagnosis
Medical issues intensified when Rosso woke up unable to see out of his left eye. Medical evaluations confirmed diabetic retinopathy and a thrombosis in his eye, linked to diabetes that was first diagnosed in 2015 when he arrived at Estudiantes. According to the Argentine Society of Ophthalmology cited in the reporting, diabetic retinopathy remains a primary cause of vision loss among patients with diabetes.
Managing the chronic condition became significantly harder after he lost his formal employment, which also resulted in the loss of active health insurance coverage through a formal workplace benefits plan. Working shifts lasting up to 13 hours on the street complicated his dietary management and insulin routine.
“Empecé rápido a inyectarme con insulina y después a llevar una vida bien, cuidarme,” Rosso said. “Hoy en día es mucho más jodido. Uno está mucho en la calle. He estado hasta 12 o 13 horas por día y es muy jodido cuidarse.”
Viral Social Media Response and Coaching B Scholarships
The straightforward social media post shared with his followers quickly circulated across football fan groups, drawing support from supporters of Estudiantes, Chacarita, and other clubs where he played. The unexpected reach of his message brought immediate relief opportunities, including a scholarship offer to complete his technical coaching certification in Rosario.
“Subí esa foto con el solo hecho de contar que estaba con el tema de las viandas, porque sé que acá me conoce gente y puedo venderle,” Rosso stated. “Se hizo todo muy viral. Ahora gracias a Dios me dijeron que me van a dar una beca para hacer el curso de técnico acá en Rosario.”
Rosso currently prepares homemade meals daily, advertises the menu via WhatsApp and Instagram statuses, and completes deliveries across Rosario by bicycle to support his two children, Zoe, 13, and Giovanni, 9.
