Jonathan Calleri Back to Bombonera: A Story of Reunions

Just look at who’s back at Bombonera! After eleven years away from Boca Juniors, Jonathan Calleri returns to the stadium that saw him shine, but this time things are going to be different: he’s going to wear São Paulo’s captain’s armband and faces his former coach, the one who helped put him in the hearts of the home fans. Get ready, because the ball is going to roll this Tuesday, at 21h30 (Brasília time), and expectations are high for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals.

The Beginning of Everything

Calleri’s relationship with Boca began in a way that had nothing glamorous about it. In 2014, at just 20 years old, he arrived in Buenos Aires as a gamble: not much certainty that he would get a place in the squad, with the specter of loan deals hovering nearby. But the tide turned fast!

Right at the start, he had the chance to catch the end of Carlos Bianchi’s cycle, who left the Boca job in August of 2014. The arrival of Rodolfo Arruabarrena is what gave a boost to Calleri’s career, as he became a starter and quickly turned into one of the fans’ favorites.

The Goal That Changed Everything

Amid 2015, Calleri was solid and strong in the team, which was leading the Argentine Championship. Then came the match that made his story forever etched into the memories of Boca supporters.

On 18 July of 2015, Bombonera was packed to welcome Carlos Tévez back, after 11 years away. All eyes were on the Argentine idol, but Calleri—young and daring—didn’t let the opportunity pass.

In the second half, on a counterattack, he received the ball straight in front of goalkeeper Walter Benítez. And even with Tévez nearby, Calleri chose to pass the ball—only for it to be intercepted by a defender. Not very confident to shoot with his left leg, he went for it and improvised a rabona that left the keeper with no chance! An unforgettable goal, and Bombonera went wild in the 2-to-1 win.

And to make the moment even more epic, the icon Diego Maradona was watching everything from one of the suites. Naturally, the internet went crazy with reactions from the master Maradona!

That day, Calleri transformed—he wasn’t an unknown kid anymore. He became an idol, not because he was a Boca fan (after all, he’s a fan of All Boys), but because of the commitment and passion he showed on the pitch.

Back in the Fans’ Heart

Arruabarrena returned to Boca in June, and more than a decade later, the two meet again in the same stadium—but on opposite sides. Calleri left Boca at the beginning of 2016 and went abroad, arriving at São Paulo in the same year. His first stint with the Tricolor lasted just six months, but it was enough to forge yet another strong connection.

In 13 April of 2016, in the Libertadores clash against River Plate, Calleri made the difference by scoring both goals in the victory, 2 to 1, and he also proved his bond with the fans by wearing the shirt 12, as a tribute to Boca, River’s rival.

The Reunion

After a stint across Europe and watching the Tricolor from afar, Calleri is back at Morumbi—and now, for the most anticipated matchup, 11 years after that famous rabona and 10 years after leaving Boca.

This Tuesday, Arruabarrena will be on the touchline, but Maradona won’t be in the stands. Calleri won’t be alongside Tévez or dressed in blue and gold anymore; instead, he’ll be the São Paulo captain, recently renewed through 2029.

While everyone was at Bombonera in 2015 to see Tévez again, now it’s time to reunite with Calleri! And what a spectacle this promises to be!

References: Here on miltão’s blog, Here on UOL, Here on Globo, First-hand material from UOL.