Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal returned to action on Saturday after four months out due to meniscus surgery after returning to Colo Colo to win 1-0 against Everton in a friendly in Valparaíso, 120 kilometers south of Chile. main.

The 36-year-old midfielder stayed at the Sausalito Stadium for 60 minutes, of which he even wore the captain’s armband for 15 minutes in the second half, after Esteban Pavez left at halftime.

A few days ago they said they knew if I could play, I signed and four days later made my debut as a starter (…) greetings to everyone who talked nonsense about me, Vidal said in a statement to ESPN after the match ended.

Out of competitive rhythm, but firm, Vidal expressed himself, testifying that his operation on his right knee was successful. But the long inactivity forced him to take precautions in the game.

I will catch more rhythm with the games I have left until the start of the championship, admitted the footballer who had a contract with the Brazilian Athletico Paranaense until last December.

The Cacique staff also plans to gradually bring Vidal back into action, since at the end of the first half he was asked about the conditions for the continuation of the match, and the footballer came out in the second half and played a few more minutes.

He played the last official game of the ‘8’ of the Chilean team last September when he was injured playing with La Roja in the South American qualifier for the 2026 World Cup against Colombia.

Vidal also referred to the appointment of Argentine Ricardo Gareca as the coach of Chile last Thursday.

“Well, I don’t know him very well. I haven’t spoken to him much, I hope that everything will be good for us and that he will choose the best for the Copa América,” he commented on the competition that will be played in the United States next June.

The ‘King’ proved to be free to move in front of the opponent’s large space, but without running long distances. Position yourself on the field with experience and hierarchy and intervene in the attack of the black and white team.

He participated in the goal of the match scored by forward Carlos Palacios from a free kick, because his pass to midfielder Leonardo Gil on the edge of the penalty area created a foul that allowed a penalty in the 11th minute of the match.

Then, in the 18th minute, he entered the Everton area looking for a header, after asking for a cross to be sent to him.

Vidal was attended by several thousand Colo Colo fans who traveled to witness his return to the club with which he made his professional debut, after 17 years traveling outside of Chile to pursue an international career with major European teams such as Barcelona, ​​Juventus, Inter, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.

“Very excited indeed, very happy. My dream is to return to Colo Colo because of the serious injury I had. The best thing is to return to the field, when I was injured I thought that time would not pass. “My children entered the field with me and were very happy because of the support of the public,” he added.

The fun in the stands was spoiled in the 28th minute when the referee Piero Maza had to stop the game for 11 minutes due to the disorder of the fans of both teams.

Vidal addressed the crowd, on the side of the pitch, to appeal for peace to no avail until law enforcement officers entered to deter.

Colo Colo is competing in the Viña del Mar Cup in preparation for the Super Cup of Chile where they will play league champions Huachipata on February 11. Then follows the start of the domestic tournament and the debut in the preliminary phase of the Copa Libertadores against Argentina’s Godoy Cruz. (D)