The story of Bruno Zuculini’s young career is one of fire, fury and loan moves. A product of Buenos Aires club Racing, Zuculini made his first team debut with the club, one of the “big five” clubs of Argentine football, at the tender age of 16. After establishing himself as one of the Primera Division’s top talents, Manchester City signed him at the age of 21 for $3.2 million in 2014.
From there, his career trajectory followed the path of a multitude of other young talents on the books at clubs like City and Chelsea — he was sent off on loan ad infinitum, his dressing room name plate at Valencia, Cordoba, Middlesbrough, AEK Athens, Rayo Vallecano and Hellas Verona probably reading “The Tomb of the Unknown Footballer.”
Midfield mad lad Bruno Zuculini. Photo: @City_Watch | Twitter
However, after spending the second half of the 2016-17 season at Verona, he signed a permanent deal with the club last July. Unfortunately for Zuculini, that little bit of continuity in his career was promptly self-sabotaged.
Zuculini was officially Europe’s maddest lad throughout the first half of the 2017-18 season, collecting three reds and four yellows in only 15 starts.
Bruno celebrating with a frown. Photo: @City_Watch | Twitter
On October 1, he was given his marching orders for a second yellow card offense against Torino for a two-footed cruncher.
After serving a one-match suspension, Zuculini returned to play against Chievo and was sent off again after being booked twice, his second yellow a clattering slide tackle from behind.
On January 21, he was given a straight red for an incredibly cynical and ridiculously high tackle against Crotone.
Check out this awesome video: Bruno Zuculini Red Card For Terrible Tackle vs Crotone! https://t.co/m4pkoNLnEO
— WF Productions (@productionsWF) January 21, 2018
With Verona languishing in 19th in Serie A (currently four points from safety), the ill-disciplined enforcer was officially sold to River Plate yesterday for $4 million.
"I'm going to obliterate you! :D " Photo: @EZE_CARP_OK | Twitter
It’ll probably be close, but it’s difficult to imagine any player in Europe eclipsing Zuculini’s levels of aggression, even with another four months to go. If another player reaches three reds this season we’ll have to reconsider, but it looks like Bruno Zuculini returns to Argentina with the title of Europe’s Maddest Lad of 2017-18 already secured.
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