Thousands of young people in Argentina dream of becoming soccer stars, but few make it. Many of these dreams are cut short by wrong decisions off the field. This is the case of Ezequiel Cirigliano, who went from being a promise to River Plate to face prison and, finally, seek redemption in Philippine football.
Bad decisions and detours along his path led Cirigliano to put his career at risk, but his story is also that of someone who, despite everything, fights for a second chance. After almost two months in prison, he returned to the sport he loves, this time in the Philippine second division.
The career of Ezequiel Cirigliano
Born in Homemade, Buenos AiresEzequiel Cirigliano showed talent from an early age, which led him to join the lower divisions of River Plate. At the age of 18, he made his debut in the first division, quickly earning a place in the team. His performance was key during River’s rise back to the First Division in 2012, and his future seemed promising.
After establishing himself in the club, he was loaned to Hellas Verona from Italy, where he had a brief but important international experience. However, upon returning to Argentina, things began to get complicated. Disputes with management and behavioral problems They kept him away from the first team, and although he had opportunities in other clubs such as Tigre, Atlético Tucumán and San Luis de Chilehe never managed to recover his level.
His career continued in decline with fleeting steps through teams in Mexico and Italy, without being able to settle in any. Every attempt to restart his career seemed unsuccessful, and Cirigliano found himself further and further away from the young man who once dazzled Argentine football.
The darkest moment came in 2022, when he was arrested for an incident with a firearm. This situation not only marked his personal life, but also put his sports career on hold, leading him to question his future in football.
Why Ezequiel Cirigliano was arrested
In October 2022, Cirigliano’s life was turned upside down when he was arrested in his hometown, Caseros, accused of attempting to rob a home while carrying a firearm. In his own words, the incident originated from a dispute with a neighbor, and although he admitted carrying a weapon, he assured that he never intended to use it against anyone.
The arrest resulted in 54 days in jaila period that Cirigliano describes as one of the most difficult of his life. The experience in prison led him to reflect on his actions and the consequences they had not only on his personal life, but also on his career as a footballer.
Despite being released by lack of strong evidencethe episode left an indelible mark on his reputation. Aware of his mistakes, the player expressed that his time in prison was fair given that carrying a gun was the wrong decision, although he believes other aspects of the case could have been handled differently.
Where is Cirigliano playing now
Today, Ezequiel Cirigliano is trying to rebuild his life and career in the Stallion Laguna FC of the Philippines. Since his arrival, he has shown renewed commitment, working hard to regain the physical and mental fitness that once highlighted him as a promising young player in Argentina.
In this new chapter, the Argentine seeks not only to leave his past behind, but also to rediscover the football that he is passionate about. At 32 years old, and in a league far from the spotlights of Europe and South America, he is determined to take advantage of this last opportunity to feel whole again on the field.
Source: Ambito
