Former Liverpool star Maxi Rodriguez was given a special send-off in his final match as a professional footballer.
The 40-year-old announced last month that he would be retiring from a player career that has spanned more than 20 years.
Rodriguez joined Liverpool in January 2010 as one of Rafa Benitez’s final signings at Anfield, and went on to become a fan favourite on Merseyside.
His current club, Newell’s Old Boys, were in action in the early hours of Tuesday morning against Banfield, in what was Rodriguez's final game as a professional.
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Rodriguez started the game and played 58 minutes before being substituted, with Newell’s giving the former Red a spectacular send off.
As Rodriguez’s name was announced, the whole stadium erupted into applause and cheers for the playmaker, which was then followed by a fireworks display inside the stadium.
Players from both sides, as well as the referee, approached a tearful Rodriguez to congratulate him as he slowly made his final bow in front of a 40,000-plus crowd at the Estadio Coloso Del Parque Marcelo Bielsa.
Rodriguez’s time with Liverpool saw him rack up 73 appearances and score 17 goals, before he left in 2012 to return to his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina.
He played a key role in helping Liverpool win the League Cup in 2012, scoring one of the Reds’ goals in a 2-0 win over Chelsea in the quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.
Rodriguez had a spell with Uruguayan club Penarol before returning once again to Newell’s in 2019.
The former Red’s playing career ends with an impressive 173 goals in 611 appearances to his name.
