Ricardo Bochini: “Independiente gave me everything”

Ricardo Bochini thanked the club of his life, Club Atlético Independiente, after flying to Bilbao to receive the 2022 One-Club Man Award. The Argentinian idol held a press conference at San Mamés to talk about the award which he will receieve before Athletic vs Valencia kicks off at The Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.

The Bocha spent 22 seasons at Independiente, winning a vast array of trophies with the club, including: four Copa Libertadores, four top-flight titles and three Copa Interamericanas.

“I’m very happy and proud to receive an award from a club as big and as well known as Athletic. I retired from football many years ago so to have this distinction is very important. I’m going to share it with all the people of Independiente.

“I’m here today thanks to them, it’s the club that gave me everything. I spent 20 years playing in the top division and it’s nice to get award reserved for those of us who played for just one club.

“I’m going to take it back to Argentina and I’m going to show it off everywhere I have to be. It’s the first time I’ve received an award outside of Argentina and that’s why it’s something to savour. 

“I’m very grateful to the president and the whole club for remembering me. These are things that you’ll remember forever. It’s a very important award, people enjoyed everything I did at Independiente and they haven’t forgotten it, even though it’s been a long time.”

The former Argentinian footballer and coach also highlighted the value of staying loyal to a single badge throughout a career.

He said: “This is somewhat rare because there are few players who’ve only worn one shirt and that’s why I think Athletic recognise it because I know all their players are home-grown. I’ve always been at Independiente because I always wanted to be at the club that gave me everything

“It’s going to be increasingly difficult because football today has changed, it’s very commercial, very different to our era. We played more for the shirt, for the fans who went to the stadium in the cold, in the heat, in the rain, who went to cheer us on and suffered when we lost and celebrated when we won. What a player earns today is impossible to compare to what we could earn. It will be almost impossible for a player to spend 20 years at the same team.

“The only club I think can do it is Athletic because all their players are from the Basque Country, they don’t bring in players from other teams. If a player comes out of the youth categories he could play his whole career here, but at another club it would be very difficult.”

When asked about the Athletic fans, Bochini praised the passion in the stands at The Cathedral, saying:

“I saw the fans’ enthusiasm and excitement when they beat Atlétic Madrid 2-0. It reminded me of the moments I experienced with Independiente at their stadium when we won those cup and championship matches.

“The truth is Athletic fans are extraordinary, the way they support and follow the team so that they can get through the bad times. This is an extraordinary stadium. It is a great thing to see from Buenos Aires when you watch these matches. The people are what make this team great, they are devoted fans of the club.”