Played at River, triumphs in English football and revealed the other side of his adaptation: 'People here are very reserved and home-loving'

Franco Ravizzoli, a 29-year-old goalkeeper originally from Mar del Plata, Argentina, has carved out a career in English football, currently playing for Blackpool in the third division. His journey wasn't straightforward, marked by early disappointments in Argentina's youth systems, including being denied accommodation at a club at just 13 years old.

Despite his talent, Ravizzoli's path in Argentina stalled after his time in River Plate's reserve team, where he was teammates with Julián Álvarez. Unable to secure a professional contract, he played for lower-tier clubs like Deportivo Merlo and Morón, feeling disillusioned by a future that seemed uncertain. This led him to seek opportunities in Europe.

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Come here, my cousin can help you get a tryout at a club.

His move to England was facilitated by a friend and a former Argentine player, Sergio Torres, who helped him secure a trial with Eastbourne, a semi-professional club in the sixth division. Ravizzoli impressed during his trial, even playing in 15 undefeated matches, which led to a contract offering a modest weekly wage.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented new challenges, forcing Ravizzoli into part-time play and requiring him to find additional income. He took on a job at a coffee shop, initially performing various tasks before specializing as a barista. This dual role as a part-time footballer and barista allowed him to sustain himself while continuing his football aspirations in England.

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I needed to work because I only trained two days a week, I needed the money and the team coach also asked me to perfect the language. At first, I did everything in the cafe: dishwasher, kitchen assistant, I cleaned the floors. Then I asked to be in charge only of the coffee machine, where I learned the trade of being a barista.