River Plate’s tribute to one of their greatest coaches has become divisive since the 7m-tall statue of Marcelo Gallardo was unveiled.
Exaggerated private parts on the statue and other alleged flaws meant that only 21 percent of 6,149 respondents said they liked it in an online poll by La Pagina Millonaria, a popular Web site among River Plate supporters.
The statue was unveiled on Saturday at Estadio Mas Monumental in honor of Gallardo, who won 14 trophies for River as a player, and coached them to seven local titles and seven international trophies, including two Copa Libertadores.
Photo: AP
The 47-year-old Gallardo, who left River at the end of last year, attended the unveiling and laughed at the pronounced bulge in front of the pants.
Sculptor Mercedes Savall said the exaggeration was intentional, as a symbol of courage.
“Have you seen the Wall Street bull in the United States? I decided for that because we are talking in a soccer language,” Savall told local media. “It is a gesture toward the fans with a lot of respect. It is no joke.”
She was inspired by a picture of Gallardo lifting the Copa Libertadores trophy after River beat archrivals Boca Juniors in Madrid in 2018.
However, reactions on social media to the statue included adjectives such as “horrible,” “grotesque” and “vulgar.”
“They invested so much time, they postponed the unveiling and they asked every supporter to make this cheap, tacky, of very poor taste [statue],” River fan Matias Marticorena said.
“I would not have unveiled it,” said Mario Rey, an artist and River supporter. “It is out of proportion. One arm is longer than the other, the legs look like elephant paws. I don’t like the finishing. This is a David by Michaelangelo, but done backward.”
River director Carlos Trillo said he heard the criticism and was willing to make adjustments.
“I want this to go for all life and for everyone to like it,” Trillo said. “If there’s 1 percent of River fans that don’t like it and we can correct it, we will correct it.”
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