Some super classics are remembered for the score. And others, because of the context. But there are games whose heroes score forever. For those plays that become eternal. Roma’s penalty against Delem, Garcia Cambon’s four goals, Ricardo Rojas’ shot, Juanfer Quintero’s boot in Madrid or the back of Guerra’s neck are part of that story that spans generations. Each Boka River had its own shape, its own name, and its own indelible moment. and This classic distinguished itself: Exequel Zeballos.
It seems that fate has reserved this moment for a player who, in just five years of his career, has suffered two serious injuries of the type that leave marks, which… It debuted in the middle of the pandemic From the hands of Miguel Russo, who made another good pass with Sebastian Battaglia, and since then, every coach has tried to recover. In three matches against River (2023, 2024 and 2025) he has only known defeat. That’s why I take this super classic as such Great opportunity for its final take-off. He has reached his best moment in a long time, after three impressive performances against him Belgrano, Paracas Central and EstudiantesWith two goals and an assist, he won a place among the eleven. Under Claudio Ubeda, he found his best version: the goal and starting role in Boca’s 2-0 win over the River Bombonera again three years later.
In an emotionless first half, the 23-year-old from Santiago was Boca’s most clinical attacking force, although he was far from the level he had shown in previous matches. He rotated as a midfielder and winger on the left, showing a commitment dropping back to contain Gonzalo Montiel and joining the attack to accompany the No. 9 of Miguel Merentel and Milton Jimenez. It was difficult for him to upset the balance one on one, but he was one of the few who dared to try the target. That was until the 1-0 match: Ayrton Costa’s long ball, the hairstyle of Jimenez – who fouled Paulo Diaz – and Zeballos’ face-to-face with Rivero. Franco Armani blocked the first shot well, but was merciless on the rebound. The celebration was endless: first, he climbed the railing of the lower stalls; Then the eternal embrace with his colleagues, and finally a small dance in front of the fans.
The goal in the first minute of addition Activate puka And Zeballos himself, who became a real nightmare for the band. He won every duel and made a noticeable physical and emotional difference compared to his rivals, who, when they did manage to catch up to him, ended up punishing him with a foul. And every time the ball landed at his feet, the crowd stood up.. Ubeda, on the edge of the pitch, was enjoying his first major success as Boca coach: including the seven in the starting line-up, after Changito had had few chances with Miguel Rousseau and wasted almost all of them. Most famously, it was against Auckland City in the Club World Cup, when he made a surprise appearance in the lineup and, after a poor start, was substituted due to injury midway through the first half.
With undeniable technical conditions, despite the ups and downs of their performance, this poor showing against the Oceanians left the door open to a potential exit. Guillermo Barros Schelotto tried to take him to VelezBut Fortin’s offer – $3.5 million for 50% of the pass – was deemed insufficient. Argentinos Juniors also joined the list, as well as Elche of Spain and an important club from Arabia, which would have offered nine million but were unable to convince him to leave.
A Boca fan since childhoodHe wore the tail of Rodrigo Palacio, his idol, when he dreamed of wearing the blue and gold shirt. That’s why they gave him a nickname in his hometown of La Banda shovel. He was one of the stars of the under-15 and under-17 teams, although physical problems prevented him from playing in the under-20 team. However, He never lowered his arms or gave up. And when injuries knocked on his door – first, with a terrible fracture of his tibia and right ankle ligament in a Copa Argentina match against Agropecuario, in 2022, and then in 2023, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and external meniscus of his right knee – he was the first to promise that he would come back better. The moment took a while, but it became a reality.
Because of Zeballos He was the spiritual leader of the Bucca Uprising. In the tournament, and also in El Clásico, with runs like 2-0, which started in the middle of the field and ended almost in the six-yard box, with a pass to Merentel. Later, Gimenez helped with luxury, although the number 9 could not be decided against Armani.
“God’s plans are not perfect, you just have to be patient and work,” the striker said without a sound, his eyes filled with tears. Eventually, Obaida had it altered so that the Bombonera gave it to him His first standing ovation. The award goes to the boy who grew up surrounded by beatings, on and off the field, such that Changito is left behind and eventually becomes Changito Zeballos.
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