Valentín Barco, the 18-year-old boy who managed to relaunch Boca in the Libertadores with his left foot and courage

When was he born Valentine boatOn July 23, 2004 Boca was the best team in the world, champion in Japan, beating the Milan of a certain Carlo Ancelotti. Today, that 18-year-old boy had to enter this version of Boca 2023, without reaction, capable of losing four times in a row at La Bombonera if it hadn’t been for Advíncula’s left foot but above all for Barco’s.

The child asked for it more than the adults; he got even stronger. And he was encouraged to kick free throws. From one of the less flashy positions at the time of the chiches, he played 3, but he was also hook and outside. The best attacks were born from his departures and in one of these came that precise header from Varela, which revived all of Boca, when 99 minutes of the match against Deportivo Pereira were played.

After that forced debut of kids in 2021 due to the pandemic, “el Colo” spent almost two years without playing, who knows why. There are many examples of players shining at that age, though few in that position, that’s true. Barco’s appearance ended up coming at the right time: when Boca needed him the most.

He’s a boy and he’ll have to file a lot of things, especially in defense. Going forward it seems to have everything clear. And against Pereira he showed that he has that sacred fire that is required of players, not just from Boca.

It is no coincidence that when the referee blew the whistle and Boca won 2-1, Barquito limited himself to clenching his fist and breathing a sigh of relief. The victory was precious and can serve as a boost to the spirit, but he knows that for him it is only the beginning.