While Fernando Belasteguín prepares for retirement, it remains difficult for his fans to see him move away from the world of competition. Last milestone: the Argentina team has chosen not to select Bela among the 8 players who will represent the country in the next worldwide in a month.

Opinions are divided. From a purely sporting point of view, it is true that Bela may no longer have the place he once had within the team. However, many believe that in recognition of his incredible career, to offer him a final participation in these worldwide would have been a deserved tribute.

Despite this decision, Bela, true to his image, reacted with class. He shared his first thoughts in an emotional video posted on social networks:

“Hello everyone, as you already know, I will not participate in the World Cup in Doha with the Argentine national team. Yesterday, during a very pleasant and moving discussion with Gaby and Rodri, they told me that they were not counting on me. I have been defending the Argentine national team for 20 years, from 2002 to 2022.

I have no words to describe what I felt, what I feel for the Argentine jersey and all the love you have given me. I want to thank each and every technical staff and teammate I have had throughout these 20 years.

And that's it, it's over, it's over, it's over for me with Argentina. I remember that last victory with the Argentine selection in Dubai in 2022 which gave us the title of world champions.

And we are champions, damn it! I wish the best to the current team, a great team. To the captains, to Rodri, to Gaby, to all the staff, to the president of the APA and to all those who will be there. I wish them the best. I hope Argentina becomes world champion again. It will be very difficult against a team as strong as Spain.

But I am very happy with the team that will represent us. And this time, I will have to cheer from the outside, as I did before 2002, when I was not there. And now, I will once again support the team from the outside, as I have always done for the Argentine jersey. A big thank you to everyone for allowing me, during these 20 years, to defend the colours of Argentina.

Goodbye !"

In this emotional message, White remembers his 20 années spent defending the colours of Argentina, 2002 to 2022, and proudly recalls his latest victory at Dubai in 2022, which had offered his team the title of world champion.

Fernando concludes by wishing his teammates the best for the Doha World Championships, and even from the stands, he will continue to encourage the team, with the same passion that has always driven him.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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