It was a promise of River, played in the national team with Agüero, retired at 27 and today is dedicated to music

Juan “Iñaki” Antonio He knew how to shine in football from a young age. He shared costumes with figures such as Ariel Ortega, Marcelo Gallardo, Ángel Di María and Sergio Agüero, but At 27 he decided to hang the booties for dedicate yourself to another passion: music. In 2017 he founded “France 98 “a pop-rock band that today is close to launching its second album, produced by Willy Pianncioli of “Los Tipitos”.

The group, which bears the name of an unforgettable World Cup, reflects in their songs a style with influences from Charly García, Fito Páez and “She is so cartous.” Formed by the former footballer in voice and guitar, his brother Danilo in bass and four other musicians, the project grew with effort and conviction.

How was Juan Antonio’s career, former River player

From a very young age he demonstrated conditions for football. Born in Trelew, he had to move to Comodoro Rivadavia to play in the lower of the CAI of Comodoro Rivadavia. His talent led him to Sub-17 selectionwhere he shared squad with Di María, Chiquito Romero and the “Kun” Agüero. It was also Sparring of the Major when Lionel Messi began his way.

At 17 he debuted in the first of River Platein a team that had Ortega and Gallardo as referents. Its appearance generated expectations, but the opportunities were limited. Looking for continuity, In 2010 he emigrated to Italy to join the Parma. Later went through Brescia and Sampdoriawhere he alternated good yields with periods of less participation.

In his first seasons in Europe, he managed to stand out with his talent and vision of the game. However, he lost prominence and ended in clubs with less hierarchy. The injuries and lack of regularity prevented him from consolidating in the high level, which was affecting his enthusiasm for the activity.

As the years advanced, he began to feel that football no longer generated the same motivation. The training routine and the pressure of the environment ceased to be stimulating. Finally, after a deep reflection, he made a drastic decision: definitely move away from the courts at age 27.

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Life after the retirement of Juan Antonio

In Italy, and with his wife back in Argentina, Iñaki discovered another vocation. One night he started writing songs and felt that he had found something new. In a short time, He communicated his decision to leave football and bet on music.

The first step was to build a band. He called his brother Danilo, a lawyer who was not done in his profession either. With determination, this began taking bass classes with Javier Malosetti, attending three times a week for three years. Meanwhile, both worked in the first songs. The process was not simple: they learned to make pedalities, to fit the music with the lyrics and to find their own identity. For years they made covers until they managed to consolidate a distinctive sound.

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“France 98“He took impulse in 2023, when they got a record label and the first dates began to emerge alone. In 2024 they premiered”The fisherman“, advance your second album”Good decisions“produced by Willy Pianncioli. The musical ensemble seeks to keep alive the classic format of national rock, in a context where solo artists predominate.

For Iñaki, Music became a new challengewith a much longer and more complex road than football. Despite the difficulties, he never doubted his choice. With this conviction, the band is still growing, waiting to consolidate within the Argentine scene.