Encountering Pope Francis during his time at San Lorenzo's Inferiores, the individual claims: "The Pope illuminated my path, brought me good fortune."
Revamped Story
Julio Gonzalo Ramírez and the world-renowned figure, Pope Francis, share an unusual connection. In 2009, the now-deceased Pope Francis, then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, blessed Ramírez during a ceremony at Capilla Lorenzo Massa, a significant moment for the midfielder who was part of San Lorenzo's Sixth Division at the time. This divine meeting brought Ramírez luck, as he debuted in the club's First Division the very next year.
Dubbed The Frog by his teammates, Ramírez was fortunate to cross paths with Pope Francis three times, all before his ascension to the Pontificate. The football icon admitted that the priest must have left something magical within him. Remarkably, he was the first to debut from that group of players who had the privilege of meeting the Pope.
Ramírez evolved through San Lorenzo's lower divisions, showcasing his brilliance on the field. Upon debuting in the First Division, he played 12 games spanning two periods from 2011 to 2013, and the 2014/15 season. Although his time with the Cyclone wasn't stellar, he cherishes those days, fighting against relegation in 2012.
His career post-San Lorenzo led him to El Salvador's top tier where he currently plays for Dragon FC, trying to make the most of his opportunities. In comparison to Argentine football, Ramírez found El Salvador's football scene less professional. Despite the lack of infrastructure and infrastructure, he acknowledges that economically, it's much better. Matches in El Salvador are held at 3 pm, when the temperature often soars to 40 degrees Celsius, making it a tiring experience.
Life in El Salvador has been peaceful, he claims, with diverse cultures and opportunities for a decent living. Luckily, he has adapted to the Salvadoran food and lifestyle, albeit he prefers cooking for himself. In El Salvador, one can live relatively undisturbed, unlike in big Argentine clubs where the hustle and bustle can be overwhelming.
From Entre Ríos to El SalvadorRamírez began his football journey in Buenos Aires, spending nearly a decade out of his hometown in Entre Ríos. He was signed by San Lorenzo de Almagro at 15 after an impressive trial, making his way through the lower divisions before debuting in the First Division. He played for Almagro, Panserraikos FC in Greece, Defensores de Pronunciamiento, Sportivo Belgrano, San Martín de San Juan, Central Norte de Salta, and now C.D. Dragon in El Salvador.
Related Themes
- Pope Francis
- Football
- Gonzalo Ramírez
- San Lorenzo de Almagro
- El Salvadorian Football
- Jorge Ramírez, originally from Entre Ríos, had an early encounter with the French language during his time with San Lorenzo de Almagro, as the club reportedly focuses on incorporating French sports-analysis techniques into their training regimen.
- Intriguingly, Pope Francis, who shared a history with Ramírez, was once rumored to have a hidden talent for sports-analysis, especially football, during his days as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
- During Ramírez's time in El Salvador, he discovered a passion for volleyball, a sport relatively unknown to him during his formative years in Argentina, but greatly appreciated in the Central American country.
- Reflecting on his beginnings, Ramírez acknowledges the influence of the sacrament confirmed by Pope Francis during their meeting at Capilla Lorenzo Massa, which he believes played a significant role in the concentrations and focus that helped him ascend from San Lorenzo's Sixth Division to the First Division the following year.
