An act of love: the story behind how Riquelme brought Russo back to Boca | OneFootball

Juan Román Riquelme had a gesture with Miguel Ángel Russo that was not known until the passing of the Boca Juniors coach. The president made a very important decision to define the return of the coach who achieved the last Copa Libertadores won by the club.

The story told by journalist “Chavo” Fucks is moving and very few knew it. It refers to the moment when Juan Román Riquelme decided on the return of Miguel Ángel Russo to the technical direction of Boca.

The president knew about his health condition, which had worsened in the last period he was coaching San Lorenzo de Almagro. Román had a one-on-one conversation with Miguelo and confessed that things were not well, but that if something were to happen to him, his will was that until his last day of life, he wanted to be Boca's coach.

The last public appearance of Russo with Riquelme.

Riquelme agreed to fulfill the coach's wish, without hesitation, despite playing a very important card because the football present was bad after the departure of Fernando Gago. This is how Russo returned to the club where he won the 2007 Copa Libertadores, the last one won by the Ribera club.

The public story is known. Miguel led the team in the Club World Cup and upon return, his health complications worsened, however, he stayed with his team leading it until the match against Central Córdoba. In his last days of life, Miguelo could no longer accompany the team in the matches nor could he go to the Ezeiza training ground where he breathed football, which motivated him to continue.

Russo left in the way he wanted: coaching Boca and Riquelme was responsible for fulfilling that wish, his last great will.

Keep reading

Live the last farewell to Miguel Ángel Russo at La Bombonera

Miguelo has left us: the architect of Boca's last great smiles

Due to Russo's passing: the Boca vs Barracas match was postponed

Miguel Ángel Russo will be laid to rest at La Bombonera

The football world bids farewell to Miguel Ángel Russo

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.