For many, last December’s World Cup Final that saw Argentina claim the crown against France was the greatest in the tournament’s history.

Count San Antonio FC’s Cristian Parano among them.

“For me, Argentina vs. France was the best I’ve ever seen,” said Parano. “Out of any match I’ve seen in my life, it was the absolute best.”

Watching with fellow Argentine friends in Portugal, the emotion of the back-and-forth across the game’s 120 minutes, and the penalty shootout settled by Emi Martinez’s saves and Gonzalo Montiel’s winner, was as fundamental as it gets.

“I felt immense joy,” said Parano of the moment Argentina claimed victory. “It’s something we’ve waited so long for and that’s been fought for so long, and after so many falling outs. It was truly incredible, an amazing feeling. I cried a lot that match, when Gonzalo Montiel scored that goal – it made me so happy, primarily for Argentina, but also for [Lionel] Messi, who achieved a dream – winning a World Cup, a title he’s longed for.”

After struggling to break through professionally in his home country, he’d found another path in Texas. It was followed by top-flight offer in Europe at Pacos de Ferreira. The next step was calling.

And then, roadblocks began to spring up. After an injury sidelined him shortly after his arrival in Portugal, it became difficult to get back into the picture.

“I was off the pitch for three months, and when you’re new and don’t know your teammates too well or have the same trust it becomes a little harder to adapt,” said Parano. “By the time I was able to get back on the pitch, the coach already had his plan set and other players, so it was a little tough – but even at that point all one can try to do is enjoy it regardless of the circumstances.”

Without a real chance at First Team action, Parano went on loan in Greece’s second tier, making 16 appearances to close out the 2021-22 season in Europe. Back in Portugal after the end of his loan in May, Parano was approached about a return to San Antonio as his former club went in search of a title.

It was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

“Honestly, it was a really positive reaction,” said Parano. “I was very happy and felt a lot of emotions. The fact that [San Antonio Head Coach Alen Marcina] and the team wanted to bring me back when there was already a vision set for the season, the vision to win and be champions. It made me come in with that vision myself, committed as always with the team, but with a bigger drive than usual because I saw the full team with that winning mindset and the want to lift that championship trophy.”

While some faces had changed since the 2020 campaign – of the starters in Parano’s last appearance for the club that season, only Mitchell Taintor, PC and Connor Maloney remained – he quickly re-integrated. While by the numbers he logged only one goal and three assists, the energy Parano brought to the field was visible.

It also provided tactical flexibility for one of the more direct teams in the Championship. Despite only making 13 overall appearances, Parano’s 21 completed dribbles ranked fourth on the team and first in dribbles completed per 90 minutes (2.15).

Then, in the biggest game of his life so far, he produced his latest signature moment.

The aftermath was everything he could have hoped for.

“The memory I hold closest to my heart is celebrating the championship, both with the team but also with my dad who was able to come,” said Parano. “He came all the way from Argentina to watch the final at Toyota Field and sharing that moment with him will stay engraved in my heart forever. Because of everything we’ve been through together in the past – he’s always been by my side, supporting me. He’s been there through my toughest moments and then got to be there next to me when lifting the trophy… it was a beautiful moment.”

Parano is back in San Antonio this preseason, having signed a new contract with the club after departing Portugal. How long he’ll stay this time remains to be seen. The idea of returning to challenge himself in Europe isn’t one he’d shy away from.

“If the opportunity comes eventually to keep growing and be in Europe, it would be a good challenge for me,” said Parano. “I’m someone that likes to challenge myself and always push for more.”

At the same time, there’s no rush. Parano believes his current surroundings in San Antonio have him set up for success, and that’s as much a mental thing as a physical one at this point of his career. Of the lessons the past two years have taught him, including becoming more empathetic and understanding toward others, putting himself in a good place mentally might top the list.

“If you’re not mentally well, it’s impossible for your legs or the rest of your body to work properly,” said Parano. “The most important thing is to work our mind and be fully convinced of what we all want as a team and the objectives we’re trying to reach. It’s the most important – to start with the mind as the base and then everything else will align from there.”

As defending USL Championship title holders, Parano and San Antonio are focused on the here and now.

“We all have the winning mindset, we always want to win and we’re all very competitive,” he said, “It’s an incredible feeling, because having this mindset gives us the opportunity to continue to improve.

“The goal is to continue making history with this team.”