Diego Milito becomes a Racing de Avellaneda legend

A historic club like Racing de Avellaneda of Argentina has many legendary players who have become intrinsic parts of the history of the club, but in recent years, no other footballer has been more important to La Academia than Diego Milito.

El Principe (The Prince), who was nicknamed as such due to his physical resemblance with the “original Prince” Enzo Francescoli, is making the last strides in his glorious career, and for such an occasion he has decided to return to his origins, to Racing Club de Avellaneda.

Milito made his comeback to La Academia earlier this season and immediately made an impact. Racing lifted the trophy in Argentina’s Torneo Inicial, staying atop the best poised club to win it, River Plate.

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It had been 12 years since Racing won a local tournament in Argentina, and coincidentally, Diego Milito was one of the stars of the team back then.

In the 12 years that went from one title to the next, Milito enjoyed a successful career in Europe, making a name for himself in Genoa and Zaragoza, and becoming one of the top forwards in the world at Inter Milan.

Milito will never forget 2009, when a last minute decision saw him making a move from Genoa to Milan to dress up with the Neroazzurri. Jose Mourinho had just finished his first season in Milan and fully revamped his attack after letting go of Adriano, Julio Cruz, Hernan Crespo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Samuel Eto’o was the star signing, but the most efficient forward that he brought in, and eventual Champions League hero, was Diego Milito.

The Argentine teamed up beautifully with the Cameroonian, Goran Pandev and, at a smaller scale, Honduras’ striker David Suazo, who didn’t quite meet the expectations created around his signing. Mourinho found in Milito the hard-working yet talented forward he likes to count on in his teams, and the Argentine repaid his trust with goals, tons of goals.

More importantly, Milito scored both goals with which Inter Milan was able to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final 2-0, also becoming a legend for the Neroazzurri.

Diego Milito, back to his roots

But the team of his life, the club he has carried in his heart all along was Racing Club, and it was quite clear he would one day return to the place where it all started to enjoy his last years of professional soccer.

Much like his younger brother, Gabriel, did ?the defender grew up across the street, at Independiente, and after his many failed attempts to return to full speed soccer at Barcelona after his knee injuries, made a comeback to el Rojo? Diego made the trek back home, only he wanted more than just a golden retirement surrounded by his loved ones.

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Diego Milito wanted to keep competing, and his experience helped Racing clinch a title not a lot of people would have counted on just six months back. With 6 goal in 16 games, Milito was one of the stars of the team, and undoubtedly its spiritual leader.

The striker admitted he league title with Racing was the perfect culmination to his successful career, although he didn’t confirm or deny his potential retirement.

At 35 years of age, there can’t be much left in his professional career, but helping La Academia win this title, Diego Milito has ensured he becomes a part of Racing de Avellaneda forever. He is now a legend, an even bigger legend than he already was. A true class act.

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