Bernardi bids farewell to Monaco
Monday, January 12, 2009
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Lucas Bernardi, part of the AS Monaco FC team that played in the 2004 UEFA Champions League final, has ended a seven-and-a-half year spell in France by agreeing a six-month contract with CA Newell's Old Boys.
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AS Monaco FC midfielder Lucas Bernardi is returning to his native Argentina after seven and a half years in Ligue 1 after agreeing a six-month contract with CA Newell's Old Boys.
Club servant
The 31-year-old moved to France from Newell's in 2000, joining Olympique de Marseille before, 12 months later, switching to Monaco. Capped six times by his country, Bernardi made 228 appearances for Monaco, and prior to his departure only he and Flavio Roma remained from the side who lost 3-0 to FC Porto in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League final in Gelsenkirchen. His last league appearance was on 31 March against Stade Rennais FC, however, his chances limited by a recurring knee injury.
Farewell act
Bidding farewell to Monaco by performing a ceremonial kick-off before Saturday's home Ligue 1 defeat by FC Nantes at Stade Louis II, Bernardi said: "I am leaving behind the Principality, the club, team-mates and friends. I'll miss all of this." Speaking about the memorable 2003/04 campaign, which followed a League Cup success the previous year, he added: "That season will remain in my memory for ever."
