50 photos of the world champion Boca: the least known album, after 25 years of glory against Real Madrid

November 28, 2025

This Friday, November 28th 25 years old From the invasion Boca vs Real Madrid in JapanWhere the team led by Carlos Bianchi was champion of the European and South American Cup in 2000. LA NACION also remembers it An album of 50 photos Relives the previews, training sessions and pre-match press conferences, and the on-pitch development in chilly Tokyo, which unfolded across the country.

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Goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba signs autographs upon his arrival at Tokyo International Airport, in Narita, on November 22, 2000. — Goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba signs autographs upon his arrival at Tokyo International Airport, in Narita, on November 22, 2000.Katsumi Kasahara – AFP

Gustavo Barros Schelotto, Martin Palermo and Antonio Parejo upon their arrival at Tokyo National Airport — Gustavo Barros Schelotto, Martin Palermo and Antonio Parejo upon their arrival at Tokyo National AirportKatsumi Kasahara – AFP

Mauricio Alberto Serna also signed autographs upon his arrival in Tokyo — Mauricio Alberto Serna also signed autographs upon his arrival in TokyoKatsumi Kasahara – AFP

Carlos Bianchi looks at journalists present at Boca's training session at Nishigaoka Stadium, on November 26, 2000. — Carlos Bianchi looks at journalists present at Boca’s training session at Nishigaoka Stadium, on November 26, 2000.Tsugufumi Matsumoto – A.B

Martin Palermo, before practice at Tama Track and Field Stadium, on November 24, 2000 — Martin Palermo, before practice at Tama Track and Field Stadium, on November 24, 2000Katsumi Kasahara – AFP

Oscar Cordoba saves a ball in a familiarization action performed in Tama, on November 25, 2000 — Oscar Cordoba saves a ball in a familiarization action performed in Tama, on November 25, 2000Atsushi Tsukada – AFP

José Pasualdo, Christian Traverso, Juan Roman Riquelme, Fernando Pandolfi and Marcelo Delgado, walking through the streets of the Shinjuku neighbourhood, on November 22, 2000 — José Pasualdo, Christian Traverso, Juan Roman Riquelme, Fernando Pandolfi and Marcelo Delgado, walking through the streets of the Shinjuku neighbourhood, on November 22, 2000Eriko Sugita – X00273

Martin Palermo and kinesiologist Ruben Araguas in Tokyo's Shinjuku district — Martin Palermo and kinesiologist Ruben Araguas in Tokyo’s Shinjuku districtKatsumi Kasahara – AFP

Jorge Bermudez, coach Carlos Bianchi, vice presidents Pedro Pompilio and José Pasualdo, at the press conference held by Boca at his hotel, on 22 November 2000 — Jorge Bermudez, coach Carlos Bianchi, vice presidents Pedro Pompilio and José Pasualdo, at the press conference held by Boca at his hotel, on 22 November 2000Katsumi Kasahara – AFP

Carlos Bianchi, reflecting on Boca training at Tama Track and Field, west of Tokyo, on November 24, 2000. — Carlos Bianchi, reflecting on Boca training at Tama Track and Field, west of Tokyo, on November 24, 2000.Katsumikasahara – A.B

Nicolas Burdisso, Martin Palermo and Cristian Medina during training at Kawasaki Stadium, on November 23 — Nicolas Burdisso, Martin Palermo and Cristian Medina during training at Kawasaki Stadium, on November 23 Susumu Takahashi-X00277

Matilan, Marchant, Burdisso, Patron Bermudez, Parejo and Jose Pereda, in training at Kawasaki Stadium, on November 23 — Matilan, Marchant, Burdisso, Patron Bermudez, Parejo and Jose Pereda, in training at Kawasaki Stadium, on November 23Susumu Takahashi-X00277

Juan Roman Riquelme and action figure with action figure Ruben Araguas at Kawasaki Stadium on November 23, 2000 — Juan Roman Riquelme and action figure with action figure Ruben Araguas at Kawasaki Stadium on November 23, 2000Itsu Inoue – A.B

Martin Palermo in a training session on November 23 at Kawasaki — Martin Palermo in a training session on November 23 at KawasakiSusumu Takahashi-X00277

Pre-competition training at Kawasaki Stadium, November 23, 2000: Battaglia, head held high — Pre-competition training at Kawasaki Stadium, November 23, 2000: Battaglia, head held highItsu Inoue – A.B

A postcard from Real Madrid training at Nishigaoka Stadium, on November 25, with Fernando Hierro and Santiago Solari in the center. — A postcard from Real Madrid training at Nishigaoka Stadium, on November 25, with Fernando Hierro and Santiago Solari in the center.Kimimasa Mayama – X00179

Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque, president Florentino Pérez and defender Fernando Hierro, optimistic and smiling at a press conference on November 24, 2000. — Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque, president Florentino Pérez and defender Fernando Hierro, optimistic and smiling at a press conference on November 24, 2000.Itsu Inoue – A.B

Martin Palermo's jump during training at Tama Stadium, on November 25, 2000 — Martin Palermo’s jump during training at Tama Stadium, on November 25, 2000Atsushi Tsukada – AFP

Juan Roman Riquelme with a Boca fan at Nishigaoka Stadium, two days before the final match with Real Madrid; November 26, 2000 — Juan Roman Riquelme with a Boca fan at Nishigaoka Stadium, two days before the final match with Real Madrid; November 26, 2000Tsugufumi Matsumoto – A.B

Match, Tokyo night and Argentina tomorrow

Boca's initial lineup against Real Madrid: Hugo Ibarra, Jorge Bermudez, Óscar Cordoba, Juan Roman Riquelme, Cristian Traverso and Anibal Matilan (above); Mauricio Serna, Sebastian Battaglia, Martin Palermo, Marcelo Delgado, and José Pasualdo (below). — Boca’s initial lineup against Real Madrid: Hugo Ibarra, Jorge Bermudez, Óscar Cordoba, Juan Roman Riquelme, Cristian Traverso and Anibal Matilan (above); Mauricio Serna, Sebastian Battaglia, Martin Palermo, Marcelo Delgado, and José Pasualdo (below).photo

In Tokyo, Boca beat the powerful Real Madrid thanks to Roman; At work, leaving Jeremy on the road, who catches him but can't stop him — In Tokyo, Boca beat the powerful Real Madrid thanks to Roman; At work, leaving Jeremy on the road, who catches him but can’t stop him

Riquelme and Palermo, and the hug after Boca's second goal against Real Madrid in Japan; Assisted 10 and scored 9 — Riquelme and Palermo, and the hug after Boca’s second goal against Real Madrid in Japan; Assisted 10 and scored 9Reuters – archive

Martin Palermo finishes the cross and scores Boca's partial goal for 2-0 against Real Madrid in Japan — Martin Palermo finishes the cross and scores Boca’s partial goal for 2-0 against Real Madrid in Japanarchives

Hugo Ibarra watches Steve McManaman, the Real Madrid midfielder — Hugo Ibarra watches Steve McManaman, the Real Madrid midfielderSean Botterill – Getty Images Europe

Carlos Bianchi gives instructions during Boca's match against Real Madrid in Tokyo — Carlos Bianchi gives instructions during Boca’s match against Real Madrid in Tokyophoto

Riquelme, who was distinguished by Figo, in the historic final that Boca won over Real Madrid in 2000 — Riquelme, who was distinguished by Figo, in the historic final that Boca won over Real Madrid in 2000archives

Riquelme escapes again from Cameroonian Jeremy

Bianchi was relieved once the match in Japan was over — Bianchi was relieved once the match in Japan was overphoto

The hug between Juan Roman Riquelme and Bianchi while Figo tries to protest in front of Colombian referee Ruiz — The hug between Juan Roman Riquelme and Bianchi while Figo tries to protest in front of Colombian referee Ruizphoto

Jorge Bermudez, Boca captain, lifts the Intercontinental Cup — Jorge Bermudez, Boca captain, lifts the Intercontinental CupSusumu Takahashi-X00277

All Boca players and coaching staff celebrated at the National Stadium in Tokyo on November 28, 2000, a day that will go down in history. — All Boca players and coaching staff celebrated at the National Stadium in Tokyo on November 28, 2000, a day that will go down in history.Shizuo Kambayashi – A.B

Celebrations in Argentina

On the morning of Mar del Plata, the first Boca fans celebrate — On the morning of Mar del Plata, the first Boca fans celebrateMauro in Rizzi

The human wave of Boca fans took over the streets of the federal capital — The human wave of Boca fans took over the streets of the federal capitalRicky Rogers – X00232

The obelisk, one of the main ceremonial centers — The obelisk, one of the main ceremonial centersCarlos Barea

A panoramic view of Boca fans arriving at the obelisk — A panoramic view of Boca fans arriving at the obeliskCarlos Barea

Celebrations in Mendoza — Celebrations in MendozaAndes mountains

Celebrating in the Bombonera after beating Real Madrid — Celebrating in the Bombonera after beating Real MadridCarlos Crusoe

Another postcard of the celebrations at the obelisk — Another postcard of the celebrations at the obeliskRoland Andrade

Celebrating Xeneizes sympathizers in Mar del Plata — Celebrating Xeneizes sympathizers in Mar del PlataMauro in Rizzi

A convoy of fans accompanies the Boca bus in Buenos Aires — A convoy of fans accompanies the Boca bus in Buenos AiresPhoto: Carlos Greco/STR

Faces painted on the obelisk — Faces painted on the obeliskCarlos Barea

Boca fans storm the arrival of the champion team in the middle of the Riccieri highway, on November 30, 2000 — Boca fans storm the arrival of the champion team in the middle of the Riccieri highway, on November 30, 2000Sergio Lamera

Celebrations at the Bombonera on November 28, 2000 — Celebrations at the Bombonera on November 28, 2000Carlos Crusoe

More celebrations by Boca fans at the obelisk on dedication day — More celebrations by Boca fans at the obelisk on dedication dayCarlos Barea

More celebrations by Boca fans at the obelisk on dedication day — More celebrations by Boca fans at the obelisk on dedication dayCarlos Barea

A celebration for all ages — A celebration for all agesCarlos Crusoe

Passion and flags: More celebrations by Boca fans at the obelisk on dedication day — Passion and flags: More celebrations by Boca fans at the obelisk on dedication dayRodrigo Abdul

Celebrations in the Bombonera after the victory over Real Madrid — Celebrations in the Bombonera after the victory over Real MadridCarlos Crusoe

Carlos Bianchi and Mauricio Macri, Boca president, in the press room of La Bombonera, on November 30, 2000 — Carlos Bianchi and Mauricio Macri, Boca president, in the press room of La Bombonera, on November 30, 2000photo

Martin Palermo shows off the Intercontinental Cup on 3 December 2000, at La Bombonera, before Boca's victory over San Lorenzo in the inaugural tournament which they would win with a goal from the giant. — Martin Palermo shows off the Intercontinental Cup on 3 December 2000, at La Bombonera, before Boca’s victory over San Lorenzo in the inaugural tournament which they would win with a goal from the giant.Fabian Gredelas – AFP