Platense’s feat in winning, on the 1st, for the first time, the Aperte Tournament – which starts the first division dispute calendar in Argentina – stirred the 120 -year -old club fans. But a fan, in particular, drew attention after the victory over Huracán in the final.
A video posted on social networks shows the moment when Haydee Labandeira, 98, discovers that her heart team, not used to titles, was champion. Her relatives took a sports supplement with the news of the title and left on the table, near her, in the nursing home where she lives. The video catches the elderly woman taking the newspaper and reading the headline: “Platense, the great champion”. Confused, she asks, “When was it?” And a relative answers “yesterday.”
She smiles and says, “Good, how beautiful.” And kiss the newspaper.
The video with Haydee’s reaction hit players. The cast, including Captain, Ignacio Vázquez, and President Sebastián Ordoñez, visited the fan, and took the trophy.
“We were all thrilled to see her, so we went to bring her to her and spend time with her. We thank the family and nursing home for allowing us to experience an unforgettable moment,” the club wrote on their social networks.
Visibly thrilled with the visit, she could hold the cup and received a team shirt with number one and the word “Abuela” (grandmother, in Spanish) written on the back. With other residents of the nursing home, they sang “Dale Campeón” (Avante, champion).
The original video was published by the grandson of Haydee, Santiago Labandeira. “My grandmother is fanatical for Platense ever since, she went to the club’s dances, was from Saavedra [ao norte de Buenos Aires]”Her grandson told TN television channel.
“I bought the newspaper, took her, put in front of her and let her read several times. Until, little by little, she understood that Platense had been champion.”
In another TV interview, player Nicolás Orsini commented on the importance of this emotion, noting that players represent the fans and that their joy is worth the effort on the pitch.
“It is very difficult to go on the field and try to enjoy how when we were children, but then you realize that there are people, like this lady, who are club fans and you are representing them. Don’t play for yourself, but also to your joy and frustration. Maybe we are not aware of what we generate. When you see that kind of thing, you realize that everything was worth it.”
The team’s victory placed Platense among the Argentine football champions, and the competition format will be repeated in the second half, with the Clausura Tournament of the Professional League.
