The Boca vice president commented on the moment when the Colombian left his team with ten players in extra time and had to defend under pressure.
One of the most anticipated moments in Boca after the Libertadores final was Juan Román Riquelme’s response. The club’s vice president spoke at a press conference from the Ezeiza estate, addressing several topics and not shying away from a central issue: Frank Fabra’s exit in the 105th minute and who carried responsibility for the sequence that changed the match’s balance.
THIS WAS LA ROJA FOR FABRA IN THE FINAL OF THE LIBERTADORES CUP
WHAT ROMÁN SAID ABOUT THE COLOMBIAN
“Today is Monday. Two days have passed, and Fabra arrived at training visibly upset. He stepped out of his car, walked in with a cap, and cried. It shows how deeply this hurts him,” the leader explained, describing the mood that surrounded the squad as the team faced adversity during a flare of passion that saw Boca reduced to ten players after Kennedy was sent off following the 2-1 scoreline, with about a quarter of the match still to play.
Riquelme highlighted Fabra’s long-standing commitment to the club, noting that while every player makes mistakes, Fabra has always shown immense loyalty and contribution. He recalled that Fabra has been instrumental for Boca in important clashes, including performances against Racing and Palmeiras, underscoring the defender’s impact beyond a single moment and his devotion to the team.
“Fabri has been vital across these four years. That is the message I want to share. He scored the winning goal at Gimnasia, assisted Benedetto on the Lanús field, delivered a superb goal against Tigre, and produced one of the most beautiful goals I have seen in my life against Vélez Sarsfield at Central. These moments summarize his value to the club and why fans care so much about his future after this episode,” he stated, defending the 3 jersey and signaling that the player’s path ahead remains a topic of discussion within the club’s plans.
The overall sentiment from Boca’s leadership emphasized empathy for Fabra, accountability for the team in moments of crisis, and a recognition that football demands collective resilience. The conversation also reflected how leadership at Boca Juniors frames tough losses, reinforces the squad’s identity, and supports players who shoulder heavy burdens during high-stakes matches.
Note: This account relies on contemporary reporting and internal communications from Boca Juniors as summarized by sports media outlets and club representatives. The events described pertain to the Libertadores Cup final and the immediate aftermath as analyzed by the club’s leadership and observers. Summarized attributions indicate the broader context of the match and subsequent reflections by key figures involved.