From football to cooking: a former Independiente player reinvents himself and surprises fans with his new facet as a gastronomic entrepreneur.
He Independent Athletic Clubknown as the “King of Cups” and one of the largest teams in Argentina, gave rise to numerous football legendsl. With a history rich in championships and an unbreakable fan base, the club is the birthplace of figures who leave a mark on the sport. Among them is Leonel “Toti” Ríos.
Today, this former player of the Avellaneda club, who once shone on national and international courts, leads a completely different life. Far from the stadiums and the applause, Ríos found a new path outside of professional football and surprised his followers with his foray into the world of gastronomy.
Leonel Toti Ríos.jpg
What was Leonel “Toti” Ríos’ career like?
Leonel Ríos, known in the world of soccer as “Toti,” grew up in a family that transmitted to him the love of the sport from a young age. Coming from a humble background, he always knew that football was his true passion and that, through it, he could achieve great things. “I never had any doubts that I was going to be a soccer player. because I was always close to my father when he played or coached a team,” he said on several occasions.
At the age of seventeen, he made his debut in Independiente, the Avellaneda club that he had dreamed of since he was a child. This moment marked the beginning of a promising career, in which he showed his talent as front and his ability to adapt to various positions on the field. Toti stood out in local tournaments, earning the respect of his teammates and the admiration of the “Rojo” fans, who celebrated his performance.
During his time at the club, Ríos became champion in the 2002 Apertura Tournament, a significant achievement for both him and the Red. This title opened the doors to opportunities in international football and allowed him to demonstrate his talent in Europe, where he went through leagues of Italy and Spain. However, not everything was easy; The life of a professional footballer comes with challenges, and Toti faced injuries that affected his performance and forced him to rethink his career.
After several years playing in foreign leagues, the physical and emotional wear and tear began to take its toll. Recurrent injuries and natural wear and tear on his body led him to consider retirement. Gone are the years of goals in various teams such as Rosario Central, Olimpo, Godoy Cruz or El Porvenir to start thinking about the retirement that many players fear. Finally, after several years of career, Ríos decided to hang up his boots and end his time as a professional soccer player, closing an important chapter in his life.
What is the new life of Toti Ríos like?
Far from the stadiums and the pressure of high-performance sports, Leonel “Toti” Ríos embarked on a new adventure in the field of gastronomy. Currently, he is dedicated tofor sale of hamburgers, an initiative that links it to Draw Martínezanother icon of Argentine soccer.
In his new life as an entrepreneur, Ríos found a way to reinvent himself, taking advantage of the popularity of his products and the link he still maintains with the world of football. His story is an example of how, sometimes, second chances in life come in unexpected ways, and he knew how to adapt and thrive in this new stage.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
