A former Premier League star has made a stunning return to football, nine years after completing the unlikely career switch into the music industry.
The Argentinian-born former Italy international turned out for the likes of Atalanta, Fiorentina, Roma and Southampton during his career and was even the Saints’ record signing when he moved to St Mary’s for £15million in 2013.
However, the striker would endure a torrid spell and depart in 2016 after a series of loan spells before eventually retiring following brief stints with Porto and Boca Juniors.
The 39-year-old then focused on a music career with his band Barrio Viejo despite being offered a two-year contract with Serie A club Chievo, which he turned down. In a 2016 interview, the towering forward described the move as ‘liberating’ and revealed his unhappiness playing football.
Nine years on, former Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo has finally made his return to the sport, appearing for the amateur side Huracan, whose professional outfit he began his career with in 2005.
Osvaldo enjoyed a happy return to pitch after many years, showing few signs of rust as he scored in a 3-2 win over Banfield.
Former Premier League striker Dani Osvaldo (left) scored in a 3-2 win on his return to football
Osvaldo endured a torrid spell in the Premier League with Southampton and scored only three goals
The 39-year-old then retired to focus on a music career with his band Barrio Viejo despite being offered a two-year contract with Serie A club Chievo
Osvaldo’s professional career is remembered for a succession of flashpoints. In 2011, he punched Roma team-mate Erik Lamela in the face after he didn’t pass to him during a defeat at Udinese.
And in 2013, he called caretaker manager Aurelio Andreazzoli ‘incompetent’ after he was only brought off the bench for 15 minutes during Roma’s Coppa Italia final defeat to rivals Lazio.
Osvaldo moved to Southampton but controversy followed. In January 2014, he was fined £40,000 and banned for three matches for violent conduct during a touchline bust-up in a match with Newcastle.
Three weeks later, he headbutted team-mate Jose Fonte during a training ground fracas, leading to the club handing him a two-week suspension.
In 2017, he told La Gazzetta dello Sport: ‘I couldn’t do it anymore. I had offers from China and clubs in the Champions League, but I was detached. I was beginning to hate what I had always loved.
‘Football deserves respect, and I prefer asado [Argentinian barbecue] and beer to money.’