Thousands of boys stand out in the lower divisions of national football, showing flashes of greatness that project them as future stars. However, not everyone manages to fulfill those dreams. Injuries and other adversities can cut short their careers. This was the case of Livio Prieto, a promise that shone in Independentbut whose career took an unexpected turn.
Livio had everything to succeed. His talent took him to the elite of youth football and placed him under the gaze of renowned coaches. However, physical problems and hasty decisions They marked his destiny, from his explosion in football to his life after retirement.
What was Livio Prieto’s career like?
Livy began to forge his path in Beautiful Viewa modest club Cordova. From his first steps in football, he showed a talent that soon caught the attention of Joseph Pekermanwho put him on his radar while directing the Argentina youth teams. It was in that environment where the young player began to dream big, becoming part of the U-17 squad and, later, being sparring of the Senior National Team during the era of Marcelo Bielsa.
The jump to professionalism came early. At only 16 years olddebuted in the first division of Spanish Sports. Shortly after, the club’s financial crisis led it to Independentwhere he joined the Reserve and quickly rose to the first team. Under the direction of Enzo Trossero and Osvaldo PiazzaLivio began to stand out as a talented midfielder in a squad full of figures such as Gabriel Milito and José Luis Calderón.
The pressure was enormous. The fans were looking for a successor for Ricardo Bochini, and Livy, although talented, did not completely fit that profile. Even so, it left unforgettable moments, such as the pipe Sebastian Battaglia in a remembered victory against Boca Juniors. However, the injuries began to take center stage. A torn hamstring left him out of the 2001 U-20 World Cup, cutting short what could have been the start of a stellar career.
After his time at Independiente, Prieto played in Greece, Portugal and Brazilbut he never managed to establish himself due to his physical problems. “I had Achilles tendon surgery twice, and the recoveries were endless“, he once confessed. Finally, he closed his career in the amateur soccer with truckersfar from the flashes of the big stages.
What Livio Prieto did after his retirement
After hanging up his boots, the former athlete found his place off the court as talent trainer. Currently, he dedicates his life to transmitting his experience to new generations, both in the lower divisions as in the women’s soccer. “I have to be realistic with them and tell them what I experienced as a player,” he says.
Livio also coached the women’s team Saint Lawrence, where she worked to professionalize and empower female players in a context of limited resources. “We have to change the way we explain concepts because many girls did not have the training since they were little,” she explained about her challenge as a coach.
Today, the coach is still linked to football, but from a different role, leaving his mark as a coach and mentor. His story is a reminder of the opportunities and obstacles this sport offers, and the impact the experiences can have on the lives of others.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
