Nelson Abeijón now lives and works on the other side of the world, he's back in Uruguay, but he certainly doesn't forget Cagliari for which he has a particular affection. The former midfielder, who now coaches the Primavera del Nacional in Montevideo together with Álvaro Recoba, spoke during "Il Cagliari in Diretta", on Videolina, Radiolina and the social pages of the L'Unione Sarda Group, recalling his arrival in 1998: «If I was lucky enough to wear the Cagliari shirt for 80% it is thanks to Fabián O'Neill, who did everything to get me and Diego López. At that time we needed a midfielder and a defender: it was he who told Cellino that he had two players and that they had to be signed immediately». The memory of the former rossoblù number 10, who died at the age of just 49 on Christmas day, is touching: «He was like a brother to me. He was the same age as me, we all know it was difficult for him to stop drinking but no one thought he could go away so soon. It's in my heart, when it happened it was very difficult."
The present. Abeijón played for Cagliari from 1998 to 2003, then from January 2004 to 2006, becoming an idol of the public for his character, his grit and his performances. «I don't know if I'm the most loved by the public, but I'm the biggest fan of all those who have played. Unfortunately I'm not following it much, but only because they don't show Serie B matches here: I get information through the newspapers». And that he is informed proves it when speaking of the coaching question: «I liked him when Liverani arrived, because he is a young coach who was doing things well. Unfortunately he didn't make them in Cagliari, then Ranieri arrived, whom we know well: he gave us great enthusiasm. I don't remember a game against him, but I remember he was good. He is a great coach, with an incredible experience. I would have liked to have been coached by him: he reminds me of Sonetti».
