Enner Valencia Scores Winning Goal, Thanks Riquelme for Transfer

Boca Juniors secured the 2026 Argentine league’s Tabla Anual championship with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Defensa y Justicia, a result that saw President Juan Román Riquelme celebrate his first official trophy as the club’s leader. The winning goal came in the final moments of the match, scored by Enner Valencia, who dedicated the title to Riquelme for bringing him to the club.

The decisive strike arrived as the match entered added time. A cross from the left flank was fumbled by Defensa y Justicia’s goalkeeper, Matías Borgogno, allowing the loose ball to fall inside the penalty area. Valencia, despite defensive pressure, managed to send the ball into the net, securing the victory and the championship for Boca. This goal capped off a campaign where the team finished the season regular as the top point-earner in 2026.

Valencia Thanks Riquelme for Transfer

Following the match, Enner Valencia, the match’s hero, publicly thanked President Juan Román Riquelme. Le agradezco a Román porque me trajo al club más importante de América Latina, Valencia said, highlighting Riquelme’s crucial role in his signing during the recent transfer window. The Ecuadorian forward had been in talks with other clubs, including Talleres de Córdoba and Emelec, but ultimately joined Boca at Riquelme’s behest. La verdad que soy agradecido con Riquelme por confiar en mí y traerme al club más grande de América. Esto es maravilloso, le agradezco a él, lo vi que estaba sufriendo y ahora podemos festejar, he expressed in an interview.

During the subsequent on-pitch celebration at La Bombonera, Valencia’s acknowledgment prompted a visible reaction from Riquelme. Observing the festivities from a box, the president was seen with a broad smile, applauding and recognizing the forward. The images captured Riquelme joining the wave of applause directed at Valencia, a moment that linked the player’s dedication to the president’s visible joy.

Riquelme’s First Title as President and Institutional Significance

This triumph holds a special place in the history of the club and the career of its president. The Tabla Anual championship is the first official title in the men’s football section of Boca Juniors since Juan Román Riquelme assumed the presidency in December 2023. Prior to this, Riquelme’s leadership had yielded 6 titles as vice-president (2019-2023) and 18 during his playing career. This victory marks a milestone for the institution, ending a drought of over three years since their last domestic title, the Supercopa Argentina 2022.

Riquelme’s personal connection to the event was evident throughout. Earlier in the week, during a press conference previewing the match, he had expressed his fervent desire for the team to win for the fans. Amo a mi club. Estamos felices de tener la posibilidad de competir el sábado y ver si tenemos la suerte de ganar en casa con nuestra gente. Creo que la gente está disfrutando mucho y tienen mucha ilusión y es lo más importante. El deseo más grande que tengo es que Boca gane y los jugadores y cuerpo técnico festejen, he stated. His celebration from the box, with clenched fists and a shared ovation with the supporters, reflected the fulfillment of that wish and the culmination of a season-long effort.

Boca’s Continued Objectives

While the celebration of the Tabla Anual title was the immediate focus, Boca Juniors’ competitive year is far from over. The club has several major objectives still in contention. The team will advance to the playoffs for the Torneo Clausura and will face Banfield in the semifinals of the Copa Argentina. Furthermore, Boca is set to play against Atlético Mineiro in the final of the Copa Sudmericana, providing an opportunity to add to their trophy collection in the near future.