“This old man is going champion”

Hugo Rodallega, the hero of Santa Fe.

Photo: The spectator – José Vargas

Hugo Rodallega was the great hero of the tenth star of Santa Fe and was much more than the scorer of the tournament. It was the lion's heart during the campaign that ended with the tenth star of the club thanks to its final goal.

After the final whistle in the Atanasio Girardot, in tears, hugs and ovations, the striker received words that will remain in the history of the Bogota team. “Thank you very much, really, this is an honor, it is a pride. I receive it with great humility. We deserve this, we have worked it. I am a guy who efforts me a lot daily, I always want to win and today God rewards us,” he said moved.

A goal for history: Rodallega, injured, gave a title to Santa Fe

The peak was his goal of 2-1, which scored him, seconds after having cried for an injury that ended up taking him out of the game.

“From the warm -up I already felt something. I told the doctor and the idea was not to play. But in the end I said: no, I don't get out. Until the end. They get that out of here when I say, as if I sent,” he said, letting glimpse the temple with which he played the final.

He then revealed that he played both games of the final with a fracture in the partition, product of a clash in the classic against Millionaires in the home runs: “This is war, they are war wounds. Today it is time to bring out everything.”

Do you retire? This said Hugo Rodallega

Rodallega also took the time to thank his teammates: “These boys have helped me to succeed. Apart from my will and the effort I do, it is a group of humble young people. Today we are here in Atanasio, but we are very sure that people in Bogotá, or in any city of Colombia or in any country in the world, are celebrating and are happy for us.”

The most emotional gesture came when he talked about Omar Fernández Phrase, one of his younger classmates: “He says that he admires me a lot, that as a child he saw me playing in England and that it is a privilege for him to be next to me and be able to be a partner.”

At the close, he released the phrase about his possible retirement that shuddered all the fans: “I had told them that perhaps, I do not know if I am going to fulfill it, but maybe I would like to take a step to the side. Only that the family has not left me. My son tells me to continue, that he continues to fight. I told them that if we were champions, perhaps it was time to retire. What … let's see what happens. Thus, between mysticism, pain and glory, Rodallega won an eternal place in the heart of the lion.

This was the Palmarés of the Colombian League

With this new consecration, Santa Fe is positioned in the fourth place of the historical ranking, only behind Atlético Nacional (18 titles), Millionaires (16) and América de Cali (15).

It is also the Bogota team with more titles in the last decade, adding four since 2012 and demonstrating remarkable validity despite the institutional ups and downs it has faced. The tenth star arrives nine years after the one obtained in 2016-II, and marks the return of the club to the top of Colombian football.

The campaign also represents an individual milestone for Hugo Rodallega, who was key in the title and consolidated the top scorer of the tournament. His performance in the final, playing injured and scoring the decisive goal, elevates it to the status of cardinal idol. It also highlights the work of Jorge Bava, who in just three months in command managed to return to Santa Fe the prominence and competitive spirit that has historically characterized him.

With this triumph, Santa Fe not only enlarges its history, but again projects internationally, ensuring its participation in the next Copa Libertadores.

How has the record advanced in history?

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