Leonardo Ulloa recalls fight with Leicester legend

FanSided World Football

·28 mars 2025

Leonardo Ulloa recalls fight with Leicester legend

Exactly 10 years ago, Leonardo Ulloa was fighting alongside Jamie Vardy in order to save Leicester City's Premier League status. While Vardy remains important for the Foxes, the Argentine retired from professional football in 2021. Both men are highly regarded for their service at King Power Stadium, particularly the one-time England international, of course.

But Ulloa is well-liked amongst LCFC's Blue Army fan base as well. If you can recall, he also helped the east Midlands side to EPL glory in 2015/16 too. The 38-year-old (he and Vards are the same age) also played for Brighton & Hove Albion in the English top flight. Along with the Foxes and the Seagulls, Ulloa played for Arsenal Fútbol Club in Argentina, C.F. Pachuca and Rayo Vallecano during a wonderful career.

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But it seems Ulloa was not always happy and content on Filbert Way throughout his time at Leicester. For one, he was promised a bigger role in proceedings with once LCFC manager Claudio Ranieri supposedly offering the forward a key role at Leicester. The Italian is also said to have 'assured Ulloa' that a new contract was being prepared for him. Neither scenario eventually arose and the ex-pro was left with a sour taste in his mouth.

Amazingly, Ulloa has now recalled an apparent fight he had with the legendary Leicester City head coach. Although, in this country we refer to that type of incident as an 'argument'. Whereas in the Americas a fight can mean a heated debate as opposed to physical confrontation, for anybody that may already be confused! Let's see what the former striker said exactly.

Leonardo Ulloa talks quarrel with title-winning Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri

Ulloa was seeking an upgrade to his standing as an athlete. Furthermore, he wanted more money for his craft into the bargain. The Argentinian was left disappointed:

"I had a fight with Ranieri. After that season, I had three offers from English clubs where I would have had a much better chance of playing, where I would earn more money, and where I would feel more important,” he said.“So, during pre0season in Los Angeles, I sat down with him with the desire to leave the club. At that time, Claudio told me to stay calm, that I would be important, and that he wanted my contract renewed.“However, on the last day of the window, Leicester bought Islam Slimani’s transfer for £30m. There, I confronted Ranieri, told him he was terrible because he had lied to me about bringing in a striker and that I wasn’t going to play anymore. In fact, I didn’t play for four months after winning the championship.”The South American was only able to return to the Leicester squad after Ranieri was replaced by Craig Shakespeare.“Shaky took over as head coach because Ranieri was fired, and at his and the owner’s requests, I decided to return to coaching and playing. In fact, I played in the first league game against Arsenal,” Ulloa explained.“The fight with Ranieri came about because he messed with me. At the time, I spoke to the media, and the fans were angry with me until they later began to understand the situation. The Leicester fans love me very much, and I love them very much. I have very fond memories of the club"Leonardo Ulloa