He played for River, they sold him to Lazio and now he works in a town hardware store

This story starts in Álvarez, a small town located in the south of the Province of Santa Fe. In the department with few inhabitants, on November 12, 1980, Leonardo Talamonti. The Santafecino, also known as “Sheep“, was a footballer who was not renowned, but who wore the shirts of River, Central Rosary, Serie A clubsamong others.

Although Talamonti’s reality today is very different, his past as a footballer is something to highlight: he did not play for the Argentine National Team nor did he win first division titles, but Oveja’s career would be the envy of many.

What was Talamonti’s career like?

The Santefecino, who worked as a defender, played in the lower divisions in Rosario Central and then debuted in the first division in 2001 at the age of 20. His first cycle in the “Scoundrel” lasted until the 03-04 season, standing out for making good performances. Despite having a place in the starting team, the former player was loaned to the lazioItalian Serie A club.

Although he spent a short time at the Italian club (one season), the young Talamonti already had the experience of playing in Europe. He played 13 games and scored only one goal for the Rome team.

After his time at “Las Águilas”, Oveja had the opportunity to wear the shirt of one of Argentina’s Big 5: River Plate. To the “Millionaire“He arrived on loan for one season and his time was short: 32 games played and 2 goals between 2005 and 2006. 32 appearances in a year is a large amount for a footballer who plays in the country. However, Talamonti failed to stand out with Núñez’s team, and that is why at the end of the season he decided to go to Italy again, but this time to Atalanta.

From 2006 to 2011, Talamonti made a name for himself in the Serie A team. Good performances led him to establish himself as a beloved player on the team and that is why he also wore the captain’s ribbon. In the 09-10 season, Atalanta was relegated to League B, but returned to the top flight a year later. Having already been part of the promotion of one team, in 2011 Oveja received the offer to try to promote another, but this time from Argentine soccer.

“I felt that it was time. I was 29 years old and had a career behind me. My family and friends told me: ‘How are you going to return to the country that is a quilombo?’. But I went against everyone,” said the former defender in an interview with La Nación.

Talamonti did not mind being comfortable in Europe and He decided to return to the country to try to promote his beloved Rosario Central, which at that time was playing in the Primera B Nacional. In 2011 he arranged for his return to Canalla and although he got promotion, his move this time would not be good. He played 16 games in two years and that is why the former player does not feel part of the return to the first division. “Later, the context generated enormous stress for me, wear and tear on my head that did not allow me to play. I had many injuries, tears, it was quite difficult. I never felt part of the promotion to First“commented the exRiver in the same interview.

After his time at Central, in 2013 he began what was the beginning of the end of his time as a footballer. Sheep Played in Sportivo Belgrano, atlanta and Plant yourselvesall promotion clubs. In 2017, Talamonti decided to end a 16-year career with ups and downs, but that would undoubtedly be the envy of many. After his retirement, the former defender moved to his hometown to start a life very different from the one he was used to leading.

What Leonardo Talamonti did after his retirement from football

After his farewell to the sport, Talamonti decided to direct his life in a different field. Currently, He runs his own hardware store in Álvarez all day long., his hometown. “I open the store at 7:30 and close at 7:30 p.m. I’m inside all day. I really like the industry, the fact of interacting with the people on the other side of the counter, advising them, I am passionate about it,” commented the hardware store owner in a note in 2020 for Tuttomercato.

Furthermore, although he moved away from the world of professional football, the former defender did not completely cut off his passion and is also dedicated to train boys in Unión Álvareza town club.

Leonardo Talamonti has a happy present with the life he leads. “What comes next?” is the question that all players ask themselves before hanging up their boots. For many of them, the stage after retirement is not easy and that is why some choose to pursue a career related to sports. However, the former River and Rosario Central footballer is one more example of former players who found happiness in another area, away from the fields and in the simple things in life.