Ahead of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals, São Paulo captain and striker Jonathan Calleri has distanced himself from his former club Boca Juniors, stating clearly that he considers himself a rival rather than a supporter of the Argentine powerhouse, according to reports from sports outlets covering the matchup.
The 32-year-old forward is set to return to La Bombonera after nearly eleven years away, leading São Paulo onto the pitch in Buenos Aires. While Calleri acknowledged his history with the blue and gold, his current focus remains entirely on advancing in the continental tournament.
A Homecoming Complicated by Club Loyalties
Calleri’s journey back to La Bombonera arrives at a critical juncture in the Copa Sudamericana. Speaking to ESPN, the striker clarified his childhood allegiances and current stance regarding the fixture. “I already lived all of that, I already played at La Bombonera many times, and for me, it is a dream fulfilled. Now I am on the other side. I have a very important respect and affection for the club and its people, but today I want the best for São Paulo and I want to win.”
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The match marks a rare competitive return for Calleri to the venue where he enjoyed a breakout spell between 2014 and 2015. During his initial stint under manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena, Calleri scored 23 goals in 61 official matches, secured the 2015 Argentine Primera División title and the Copa Argentina, and cemented his status with memorable moments such as his iconic rabona goal against Quilmes.
Recovery and Match Readiness
Calleri’s availability for the first leg carried significant suspense leading up to kickoff. After missing action and recovering on the bench, Calleri returned to action with a 27-minute substitute appearance in São Paulo’s 2-0 victory over Atlético Mineiro.
São Paulo manager Dorival Júnior integrated the center-forward back into competitive play to ensure he possessed sufficient match fitness for the high-intensity quarterfinal clash in Argentina. Despite missing time, the team enters the series in stronger form than they did during his initial absence.
Tactical Outlook and Next Steps
With both sides eyeing a spot in the Copa Sudamericana semifinals, Calleri emphasized that the tie will be decided by fine margins. Boca Juniors enters the fixture looking to capitalize on home-field advantage at La Bombonera before the decisive return leg scheduled at the Estadio Morumbi in São Paulo.
Fans and analysts can follow official club channels and tournament broadcasts for lineups, confirmed start times, and post-match updates as the quarterfinal series unfolds. Share your thoughts on the matchup in the comments below.
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