El gol, la lágrima y el brazalete: Nacho Fernández puts Gimnasia on the Libertadores path

Nacho Fernández rose for the ball, won the jump and headed in Gimnasia's opening goal against Huracán. The image seemed routine for a player who has spent his career making the important plays. Then came the tear. Just a few minutes later, with the captain's armband in view, the sight of Diego Maradona on it was enough to break him in front of the cameras.

“El Diego... Siempre me emociono cuando hablo de Maradona. Me acompaña en todos los partidos”, said Fernández before his voice gave way. The bracelet carries the face of the most famous figure in the history of Argentine football. For him, it is not an ornament. It is a presence.

A bond that began with a simple gesture

The connection has a precise origin. In December 2019, when Maradona was managing Gimnasia, a journalist asked which player he would like to sign. The answer came immediately: “Me llevaría al pibe de River, a Nacho. Tiene una gamuza en el pie.” Weeks later, in January 2020, Fernández went to a training session at the Lobo to thank him personally. The admiration was mutual.

Their paths crossed again in February 2021. After five seasons at River, Fernández left for Brazil. At his farewell press conference in Ezeiza, he was asked about Maradona's words. Diego had died a few months earlier. Fernández, already struggling to contain his emotion, recalled that the recognition from a great player had meant something special to him.

“No fue una mochila, fue algo lindo que me reconozca la gente del fútbol, el Diego...”Nacho Fernández

I remember those farewell press conferences. There was always one shirt, one phrase and one person who made the difference. Fernández had that same gift: he could arrive, understand the game and make the difficult play look simple. A little old-school, like the best River players.

His second spell at Gimnasia began in early 2026. In 13 Clausura matches, he has recorded one goal and three assists. He also has four yellow cards, mostly for protesting decisions by the referees. The numbers show a player who remains decisive, though his participation also brings friction. That is part of his profile.

• Gimnasia beat Huracán 2-1 at the Palacio.
• Fernández scored the opening goal with a header and added an assist.
• He has one goal and three assists in 13 Clausura matches.
• Gimnasia has three dates left to reach the top eight and pursue a Libertadores place.
• The next match is against Sarmiento, on Friday, in a direct fight for those objectives.

The team still has three dates to secure a place among the top eight and keep the Libertadores possibility alive. “Sabemos que no nos podemos relajar. Queremos ir a buscar la clasificación a las copas y ver si nos podemos meter en la Libertadores. Tenemos ese sueño”, he said.

In the dressing room they call him “Iniesta”. He did not choose the nickname. It followed him because of the way he moves, finds space and decides matches. On Friday, Gimnasia visits Sarmiento. Same objective, same dream: keep climbing. And, very probably, the captain's armband will still be there.