The attacker Gonzalo Mastriani, gunner Athletic in 2024 with 14 goals, it is close to becoming the biggest scorer in the history of the South American Cup. With the goal scored in the triumph over Cerro Porteño, the Uruguayan reached 18 goals in the continental tournament.
Mastriani is one goal away from matching Hernán Boats, who is playing in Alianza LimaFrom Peru. At 40, Argentinian will not act in this edition. The Peruvian club was last in Group A of Liberators and did not even go to the Sula playoffs.
" It's beautiful to be near a personal record. I try to score goals because it'll help the team. Obviously, personally we want to reach this record, it's something very beautiful and very nice to stay there. We still have two games and we will continue to succeed," Mastriani said.
In this Sula season, Mastriani scored six goals and splits the artillery of the continental tournament with Lucero, from the Fortress, Adrián Martínez, do Racing, Byan León of Independiente Medellín, and Walter Bou of Lanús.
It is worth remembering that Athletico's attacker was also the South American gunner in 2023, when he scored nine goals for America-MG.
Hurricane gunner, Mastriani holds for the first time with Martín Varini
The victory against Cerro Porteño was important to the attacker. In addition to writing down the team's first goal, Mastriani returned to the title after seven team games.
That's because he was three weeks away from a calf injury. The return stipulated by the medical department and technical commission was gradual – he entered the 11 minutes left in the round against Cerro and played for 30 minutes in defeat for Bragantino, by Brasileirão.
"The physical condition is good. I've been standing for 20 days, so it's a little hard to get back to the game. I had two games I didn't get into and starting was very important. I'm fine, physically ready," he completed.
However, even as Athletic's main gunner in the year, Mastriani has no vacancy guaranteed. That's because Lucas Di Yorio and Pablo compete for the position of reference in the attack.
"I want to play, just like Pablo and Di Yorio. There are moments that one will play in the beginning and others in the second half. We'll always fight over the position. It has Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil and South American. There are many games in the year and it is important that we have cast to help the team", completed Mastriani.
