Juan Roman Riquelme's return to Boca Juniors paid off big time
for the Argentine club.
Riquelme, likely playing his farewell match with the team,
scored a pair of goals to lead Boca past Brazil's Gremio 2-0 on
Wednesday for its sixth Copa Libertadores title.
"It was a very tough final, but knew we were capable of getting
it done," said Riquelme who was named the final's most valuable
player. "I'm glad I could get the late goals and secure the
title."
Riquelme was also the most valuable player when Boca Juniors won
the 2001 title against Mexico's Cruz Azul.
Boca's win Wednesday gave it the title 5-0 on aggregate
following a 3-0 win in the first leg last week in Buenos Aires.
Riquelme, who returned to Argentina earlier this year on loan
after several seasons with Spain's Villarreal, is likely to head
back to Europe because Boca reportedly cannot afford to keep
him.
"I always hoped things would go well in my return," Riquelme
said. "I had the help of my teammates and gladly we were able to
win this competition, which it's very important for all of us."
Riquelme, who was the first-leg's best player after scoring a
goal and setting up the two others, netted his goals on Wednesday
with a well-placed shot from outside the area in the 69th minute
and off a rebound in the 80th.
"Now we have to enjoy this, all of our fans deserved this
title," Riquelme said.
The title moved Boca within one trophy of Argentine rival
Independiente, which has won the Copa Libertadores a record seven
times. Boca's other titles came in 1977-78, 2000-01 and 2003.
It was the fourth time the perennial Buenos Aires power beat a
Brazilian team to win the Copa Libertadores. The last time was when
Boca defeated Santos in 2003.
The victory sparked a shower of fireworks over the Argentine
capital.
Thousands of Boca fans, waving the blue-and-yellow "xeneize"
flags of their seven-time Libertadores champion, massed at the
Obelisk stone spire in downtown Buenos Aires. Some uncorked
champagne, stopping traffic while others high-fived each other and
danced euphorically in the streets at the traditional rallying
point for soccer celebrations.
(China Daily via Agencies June 22, 2007)