Former footballer Mauro Zarate has addressed his controversial move from Vélez Sarsfield to Boca Juniors in mid-2018, highlighting that he did not expect to face problems as a result of this decision. In July 2018, Zarate became the center of attention in Argentine football due to his controversial switch from Vélez Sarsfield, the club where he grew up and which he stated would be the only team he would play for in Argentina, to Boca Juniors.
This move led to Zarate being labeled a "traitor" at Vélez Sarsfield, while at Boca Juniors he played 85 matches and scored 21 goals before leaving in 2021. Regarding this transfer that has marked the history of Argentine football, the forward shared: "I never thought I would have problems with my brothers. I had six spectacular months. The call did not come, nor did the payment. And now when I returned last time, neither did that."
The player added that he did not want to continue with what Vélez president Sergio Rapisarda proposed, as he found his behavior inappropriate. After discussing it with his brothers and the Vélez supporters, he offered to split the income with them if they could collect it. Zarate expressed his regret for not keeping his word and apologized to the people at that time. According to his words, he has a deep affection for Vélez Sarsfield and stated that he played twice for free for the club, highlighting that he did so when he was sold to West Ham in 2014, terminating his contract without compensation.
