If there is a big game, Juan Fernando Quintero He has to be on the court. It is possible that the Colombian plays with some reluctance in some inconsequential duel in the local tournament or in the preliminary phases of international cups. But in decisive moments is where fantasy appears and that is why ‘Juanfer’ makes all the fans of the team he occasionally defends fall in love with him. They love him River for that goal Boca at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and those of us will love him for the rest of eternity. Racing because he rescued them from a shipwreck, from a moment when nothing came of it for the rescue team. Gustavo Costas. Because, beyond the goals, Quintero put the team on his shoulder when everything was anxiety in the Cilindro de Avellaneda and led the Academy to the final of the South American Cup with 2-1 against Corinthians of Brazil.
The feeling is that Juanfer got a little jealous. The Dutchman Memphis Depay entered the field of play as if to demonstrate his European category. He did it in the first minutes with a cue to enable Yuri Alberto’s goal, with a couple of controls and steps, and with a crack pass to Garro, who missed the 2-0 face-to-face with Gabriel Arias.
Nothing came of it for the Academy and, then, Quintero left the right wing and walked the entire field to shout that in South America there is also export talent. The coffee grower led the comeback, asking for each of the balls, raising his team, showing the way to his teammates. Nobody doubted when the Chilean referee Felipe González sanctioned the penalty: Juanfer had to kick it and he didn’t miss with a powerful shot down the middle.
In the complement, Juanfer continued running and giving himself. He even pressed. The third also served Maximiliano Salas with a different slap pass. The bad thing was that the attacker missed the goal in the definition.
Juanfer left without enthusiasm when Gustavo Costas chose to remove him for the entry of Luciano Vietto. Salas, from inside, raised his hands as if bowing. Nobody on the court wanted him to come out; neither did he. But the Colombian bowed his head, swallowed bitterness and came out calm as a good leader.
“I am very excited because it has been a very difficult year. I don’t want to compare what happened with River 6 years ago. Today is another stage and in a club that has supported me too much. I just have to thank, my family and those close to me know that it has not been easy.”Quintero said after the game. And he continued: “There is no word to explain it. It was a very difficult year. I want to dedicate it to God and my family. We suffered a lot, but here we are, living a beautiful moment with a fan who feels it”.
All the hugs went to Juanfer at the end. Even Costas crossed the entire field to support him. And maybe they will pamper him until the final on November 23 in Paraguay, where he has to be..