There are matches that transcend the result and leave a special weight before the ball starts rolling. For Jonathan Calleri, the clash between Boca and São Paulo in the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana will have just that flavor: he will return to step on La Bombonera, although this time he will do so wearing the jersey of the Brazilian team and as a rival.
The forward had an important stint at Xeneize between 2014 and 2015, under the management of Rodolfo Arruabarrena, and quickly earned the recognition of the fans. More than a decade later, he will return to the stadium that saw him play in the blue and gold jersey, but with a completely different mission.
In the lead-up to the match, Calleri acknowledged the sentimental value that the visit will have. "Playing at La Bombonera is fulfilling a dream. I was just remembering when you were talking, I am a fan of All Boys and there is a song that says: ‘Playing at La Bombonera is what I imagine’. So, everyone who is Argentine, when they play in youth teams or whatever, wants to play in the Boca or River stadium", he said in an interview with ESPN.
The attacker recalled that desire is already part of his personal history. "Playing at La Bombonera or in the Monumental is a dream for everyone. Especially for smaller teams, which is where I came from. So I have already lived all that, I have played at La Bombonera many times and it is a dream come true", he explained.
