Norwich City winger Emiliano Buendia admits he has always dreamed of playing for River Plate, despite leaving Argentina when he was only 12. The 22-year-old Canaries star was born in Mar del Plata, a city in the southeast part of Buenos Aires Province on Christmas Day 1996.
Current River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo was the club’s star player at the time and he grew up a fan of the Millonarios, harbouring hopes of wearing he famous red sash across his chest one day. “Since I was little I have had the dream of playing in River. I would like to play a SuEmiliano Buendiaperclassico with the club’s shirt,” said Buendia to an Argentine radio station.
But his family moved to Spain and he actually started out in Real Madrid’s youth system before joining Getafe, where he learned his trade until the move to Norwich last year.
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Buendia has quickly gone from being unknown in Norfolk to a familiar name in the Premier League after his incredible impact on Daniel Farke’s side since joining on a four-year deal.
The tricky winger scored eight Championship goals last term and assisted 13 more to become one of the standout performers in City’s promotion charge.
He was rewarded with a new five-year contract that ties him to Carrow Road until 2024 in the summer and has already contributed four assists in his first five Premier League appearances of the current campaign.
Canaries fans will be hoping he doesn’t get to fulfil his River Plate dream until much later in his career and, for now, Buendia is happy to celebrate the successes of Gallardo’s men as a supporter.
He admits celebrating wildly when River beat great rivals Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final in Madrid last year. “I can’t tell you how I shouted the goal of Pity Martinez at the Bernabéu, we hugged a lot with my old man. It was an unforgettable day.”
