Gastón Martirena joins Nacional on loan from Racing, could debut against Peñarol

Some signings arrive out of necessity. Others feel like destiny. Gastón Martirena's move falls into the second category, because the Uruguayan right back isn't just signing with Nacional, he's fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Journalist Tomás Dávila confirmed this Tuesday on his X account that Martirena will join on a loan with an obligation to buy from Racing Club, for one year with a purchase option. The player flew to Montevideo that same Tuesday to finalize the deal with the tricolores, so the saga wrapped up quickly.

What stands out is that Martirena could make his debut with barely any warning. He was available for selection in La Academia's match last weekend, so he arrives match fit and in position to be considered for next Sunday's clásico against Peñarol at the Campeón del Siglo. The idea that his first game in the shirt he always dreamed of wearing could be exactly that one feels almost scripted.

The 26 year old defender came up through Liverpool, the club where he made his professional debut and where he established himself as one of the standout right backs in Uruguayan soccer in recent years. In 2023 he made the jump to Argentine soccer to join Racing Club, where he competed through the ups and downs of the most demanding competitions.

A declared fan, even his dog is on board

Martirena never hid his affection for Nacional, something he had already revealed some time ago in an interview with El Espectador Deportes.

Everyone knows that since I was a kid, I've always been a Nacional fan. I have a huge fondness for Liverpool, I'm very attached to the club and the other day I went to watch them play, but everyone is a fan of some team and I've always been a Nacional fan, even my dog is NacionalGastón Martirena

In that same conversation, the right back revealed that at one point he came close to playing for Peñarol, a move that fell through over money. And he was clear about how he would have handled it if that chance had come up.

I was close to playing for Peñarol, it didn't happen because of the numbers. My family has to eat and this is how I make my living, I'm a professional. I wouldn't say that being a Nacional fan would keep me from playing for Peñarol, and if I had ended up playing for Peñarol I would have left it all on the field, because that's just who I amGastón Martirena

That story will now stand as a curiosity of the past, because the dream that actually came true was the other one: wearing the tricolor jersey. And on top of that, with the chance to do it right away, against the archrival.