Dani Osvaldo Returns to Football After Taking 4-Year Break to Focus on Music Career

Former Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo has returned to professional football with Club Atlético Banfield - four years after he stepped away from the game to focus on his career in music.

The 34-year-old has spent time with his band Barrio Viejo and even appeared on Italy's version of Strictly Come Dancing.

But Osvaldo made an appearance for Banfield on Sunday some four years after his last match as a footballer, marking his return to the professional ranks.

Explaining his decision to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via BBC), Osvaldo said: "I decided to quit at Boca, there was too much gossip. I was beginning to hate what I had always loved. Football deserves respect, and I prefer asado (Argentinian barbecue) and beer to money."

Osvaldo didn't just step away from football, but he also turned down a high-profile move to La Liga side Sevilla along the way.

After being contacted by then Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli, Osvaldo explains that he actually rejected a move to Spain because it would mean he couldn't perform at an Argentine rock festival.

"Do you want to laugh?" he added. "In December 2016, Sampaoli contacted me. 'Dani, do what you want on and off the field, but I need a striker.' I replied: 'Mister, but there is the Cosquin Rock."

Osvaldo almost scored on his return to football in Banfield's match against River Plate on Sunday, where Matías Suárez's goal kept the Argentine giants three points clear at the top of Boca Juniors - Osvaldo's former club.

The 34-year-old saw a 30-yard chip tipped over the crossbar after coming off the bench as a second half substitute, having replaced Jesús Dátolo with just 15 minutes left of the match.

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