Author: Soorya G
As the final of the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2023 draws closer, the clash between Fluminense and Boca Juniors on November 4 at the Maracanã promises an intense contest for the continent’s most prestigious trophy. Despite being from different countries, these two teams share more than just participation in the competition.
One of the main figures making headlines in the run-up to the final is Germán Cano, one of the Brazilian giant’s most important players. Interestingly, Cano has a history with Boca Juniors, although he never wore the club’s shirt. In fact, he scored his first professional goal at Boca’s iconic home, La Bombonera.
The memorable incident took place over a decade ago, when Cano was just 20 years old and taking his first steps in professional soccer with Lanús. However, it wasn’t Boca Juniors they faced that day; it was San Lorenzo de Almagro, who used La Bombonera as their temporary home due to the closure of the Nuevo Gasómetro stadium.
Although Cano’s goal didn’t prevent Lanús from suffering a 3-1 defeat, it did represent a significant milestone in the young player’s career. The upcoming Libertadores 2023 final will be Cano’s third meeting with Boca Juniors, a club he has yet to score against but has also triumphed over.
Now 35, Cano is about to play in the Libertadores final with great prospects of becoming the tournament’s top scorer. With 12 goals scored, he has a nine-goal advantage over his closest rivals. It’s also worth noting that the winner of the Libertadores final will secure their place in the Club World Cup.