Whether or not Manuel Lanzini subscribes to the theory that ‘everything happens for a reason’, the former West Ham United favourite is certainly feeling the benefits of a fresh start away from his beloved River Plate.
Two years after Manuel Lanzini bid an emotional farewell to West Ham, that Conference League final victory over Fiorentina his triumphant finale in a Hammers jersey, the veteran playmaker has started life at his new club in much the same vein.
While a trophy brought the curtain down on his West Ham United career, Lanzini now kicks off his Velez Sarsfield spell with another piece of silverware.
And with Manuel Lanzini’s return to his beloved River Plate going sour, a 2-0 victory over Central Cordoba in the Argentina Supercopa was the perfect tonic for a footballer in need of a pick-me-up.
West Ham United hero Manuel Lanzini wins Argentina Supercopa with Velez Sarsfield
Now, they do say you should ‘never go back’.
Lanzini’s ill-fated second spell at the club where he started his career all those years ago merely adds to the argument that emotional homecomings tend to end in tears. Romelu Lukaku, Diego Costa and Cristiano Ronaldo, let us introduce you to Manuel Lanzini.
After nine years away, this is not how the five-time Argentina international envisaged his River Plate return. One goal in 47 matches, a struggle to secure a starting berth, and an injury which rendered him unavailable for 2024’s Argentina Supercopa triumph.
That, though, was a disappointment Lanzini would make up for in his new Estadio Jos Amalfitani home. Those ghosts emphatically exercised.
A fortnight after River Plate allowed their prodigal son to leave for a second time, joining Velez Sarsfield on a free transfer, a smile returned to Lanzini’s face.
In only his third appearance, he got his hands on silverware once again.
“I’m very happy after everything that happened to me,” a relieved Lanzini tells Ole, delighted to be free of those River Plate pressures and jump-starting his career aged 32.
“The truth is that these were months of great uncertainty, during which I experienced a moment I wasn’t expecting. Everything has its reward, and this is one of them. It’s nice to achieve things.
“These are decisions that Marcelo [Gallardo, the River Plate coach] had to make. Sometimes you like them, sometimes you don’t. You may or may not agree, but the decision was his and I had to accept it.”
Europa Conference League winner Lanzini takes his tally of trophies to ten
While he only played the final half hour of that Supercopa triumph, Velez Sarsfield forward Agustín Bouzat pinpoints Lanzini’s introduction in the second-half as something of a turning point in proceedings.
Lanzini’s vast experience and string-pulling talents helping his new side strengthen their grip on the lead and stroll over the finishing line.
“Manuel Lanzini gives us the skills to adapt to different moments in the game,” Bouzat explains to DSports.
“The internal competition we’re having is keeping us at 100 per cent. We’re working on it physically.”
Including that Conference League triumph and Saturday’s Supercopa, Lanzini has now taken his tally of trophies into double figures. This his tenth for club and country.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
