Boca Juniors, one of the biggest clubs in Argentine football, It is the birthplace of idols with history on the field. Within his rich career, there are also figures who, despite a promising start, took unexpected paths. This is the case of Emiliano Romaythe footballer who was a cover in The Chartbut whose destiny took him away from football.
From being a promise of the Argentina youth teams and debut in the first Xeneize with a unforgettable goalwent on to face challenges outside of the sport, adapting to a completely different life and finding a new purpose away from the courts.
What was Emiliano Romay’s career like?
Emiliano was born in Mar del Plata in 1977, in a family with a football tradition. Since he was a child, his passion for football stood out, partly influenced by his grandfather, Juan Manuel Romay, a renowned player who played in clubs such as Penarol from Uruguay and Independent. At the age of five, the protagonist began to train at the Independiente club in his hometown, where he quickly showed his talent.
His big leap came at the age of 15 when he was summoned to the Argentine U-17 team. This experience marked a turning point in his career, leading him to participate in the 1993 South American and the U-17 World Cup in Japan. Shortly after, he was incorporated into the youth teams of Independent of Avellaneda and, the following year, Boca Juniors showed interest in his talent. Against all odds, Romay went directly to training with the club’s first team, without having played in the Xeneize youth categories.
On June 24, 1994, at just 17 years old, he debuted in the first team of the blue and gold against Ferro. That day he scored the tying goal in injury time, a moment that remained etched in his memory. His performance did not go unnoticed and months later he experienced another iconic moment: he started against Workshops in the Bombonera and scored two goals in the 3-2 victory. This achievement landed him on the cover of The Charta recognition that he still remembers as a milestone in his career.
However, constant injuries began to slow his progress. Despite his talent, his time at teams such as Huracán, Nice in France and Santiago Wanderers in Chile was marked by physical problems. Despite winning a historic title with Wanderers in 2001, Injuries eventually kept him away from football’s elite. Romay continued his career in lower-category teams, but physical setbacks led him to decide to retire in 2014.
What Emiliano Romay is currently doing
After leaving football, the former athlete faced the challenge of reinventing himself. His transition was gradual, starting with varied jobs, from chocolate sales to serving in a pizzeria. But his life took an unexpected turn when he joined Austin Powder, a multinational dedicated to manufacturing of explosives. “I have been in the company for 11 years, where I started as supervisor in charge of production”he shared in an interview.
The change of direction was not easy, but Romay found in his new job an opportunity to lead teams and develop skills that he had not explored in his sports career. Currently, he works in the production administrative area, a position that allows him to combine his organizational experience with his studies in business administration and ontological coaching.
Despite being away from the fields, Romay remains linked to football as coach in the youth teams of the Peñarol de Rafaela Club. In his free time, he enjoys reading, music, and staying physically active. His story reflects how, even after leaving dreams of sporting glory behind, it is possible to find new paths and build a life full of meaning.
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.
