Former Manager Floro Hails De Nigris' Dependability

Benito Floro managed Antonio De Nigris in Monterrey and Villarreal, and said he has been hit hard by De Nigris' death.

Nov 16, 2009 12:16:12 PM

More On : 
Antonio De Nigris (Tomás Fregoso)
Antonio De Nigris touched many lives. As a footballer, he won over supporters in his many stops across the world. As a pupil, he won over hearts of his managers.

The 31-year-old footballer died Sunday of a heart attack in Greece.

Former Monterrey manager Benito Floro told Spanish daily Marca that De Nigris was like a son and said the loss has hit him hard.
Don't Miss

"He was like an adopted son of mine. How do you think I should feel?" Floro snapped when asked how he was handling the loss. "We talked once or twice a week and every time he visited Mexico, he would always come see my family."

Floro and De Nigris teamed up with Monterrey in 2000. Floro gave De Nigris his footballing debut when De Nigris appeared as a substitute in a 5-0 loss to Morelia on Feb. 6, 2000. Floro said he saw talent and potential in De Nigris well before then.

"He was a youngster who played in the youth divisions and rose to the first team because he had some strong qualities," Floro said. "Even though he was very young, he joined the first team and soon was able to play internationally, and he scored two goals against Brazil."

De Nigris' shining moments for El Tri came during a 3-3 friendly result against Brazil, when he smashed a full volley for a goal, then ran to the corner flag, ripped it out of the ground and held it high above his head.


He also scored two goals in a World Cup qualifying match against Jamaica in 2001, a 4-0 win for Mexico.

Floro also helped De Nigris emigrate to Spain as Floro was in charge of Villarreal in 2003 when De Nigris made the leap from Mexico to Spanish football, his foray abroad.

Floro said De Nigris was dependable on and off the field.

"I always trusted in him as a footballer and as a person," Floro said. "He was a strong man."

Goal.com

For more coverage of Mexican football, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February

    The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.

  2. DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream

    In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.

  3. ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein

    Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.

  4. LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction

    With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?

  5. ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment

    Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.

 
Advertisement
Advertisement