Ligue 1 goalscorer with 16 goals and just recalled by Argentina: Joaquin Panichelli he had everything to dream about World as protagonist with his Argentina. Then during a training session, that dream was finally shattered. The center forward spoke about his fall without filters.
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The moment that changed everything
Panichelli he suffered the break of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee during preparation for the friendly match against the Mauritania. An injury that not only forced him to undergo surgery, but which also took away his chance to play in his first World Cup: “It happened in such a simple action. In the first few days I experienced sports mourning and I wondered why it had happened to me“, he said in the interview with the program ‘Paren the Hand‘.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – MARCH 27, 2026: Argentina players pose for a team photo wearing a jersey and holding a flag in support of teammates Joaquín Panichelli and Juan Foyth before the international friendly between Argentina and Mauritania at the Estadio Alberto J. Armando. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)
An ordeal that repeats itself
The diagnosis was merciless, but not new. In July of 2023, Panichelli he had already experienced the same injury in the other knee when he played in Alaves: “I had already had the same experience on the other leg and therefore you already know everything that awaits you. The operation, the month on crutches and everything“. The attacker then described the hours following the diagnosis, when the reality of the situation fully manifests itself and the physical and above all emotional journey begins: “You have to go for blood tests, pre-op, constantly going in and out of the hospital… all of this falls on you, and it’s the hardest part“.
The past at River Plate and that no to Boca
During the interview, Panichelli he also responded to a question related to Argentine football, expressing a very clear position regarding a possible move to Boca Juniors: “Argentine football is something special, something you only understand if you’ve experienced it, but in Europe I’m fine. Boca? I could never, I identify too much with the River”. The player in fact grew up in the youth team River Plate and retains a strong sense of belonging to Nunez’s club.