Once Upon a Time in the Neighborhood of La Boca

We don’t know much in these parts about the football preferences of the successful Hollywood film director, but it seems Quentin Tarantino is now directly linked to the most popular club in Argentina—and in the world. Why?

The reason is a video that went viral on social media in recent hours, created by a fan, @lazarocabj, with an epic beginning that takes you back to those 80s dance parties where jukeboxes (coin-operated, semi-automated music machines) were used to pick the song to dance to.

In this case, the chosen track is It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World, with the great James Brown—eccentric as ever—accompanying a fast-paced journey through the history of the Boca Juniors universe.

From the players coming out of the tunnel onto the pitch, the stadium flooded with confetti, the legendary “Loco Banderita”, fans hanging from the fences, the colors, and of course, the xeneize idols.

Like flashes of lightning in a storm, the editor set out to show us many of the figures who were part of Boca’s glorious history in recent years.

This is cinema

Time stands still. The floating confetti never seems to finish falling onto the green grass. That’s the view from the tunnel where the gladiators enter the arena.

Glory, without skipping or stalling, presented in the creator’s own personal order of importance. Nearly all of them are there—the ones I was lucky enough to see and enjoy during my 39 years of life.

It all begins with Diego Armando Maradona, sporting his iconic yellow-dyed streak in his hair, returning to the club back in ‘95 (Boca’s 90th anniversary). He’s followed by a young successor, Juan Román Riquelme, who would become the greatest idol in the club’s history. Then comes Martín Palermo, during the years leading up to the golden era of the 2000s. After that, Carlitos Tévez—“The People’s Player”—who made La Bombonera shake with his power and hunger for goals.

Down the left flank comes Vasco Arruabarrena charging forward, but don’t worry—at the back, guarding the goal, is the unbeatable Óscar Córdoba.

Diego appears again—one of the many who walked our land—laying off a first-touch pass to Román, who, like a matador, owns the center of the stage. In the background, a truck horn sounds... and yes, it’s the Mono Navarro Montoya, who saves a shot toward the sideline, then retrieves it off a throw-in from the other team. That’s Colorado Mac Allister—but not Alexis, it’s Carlos, his father.

In midfield, the always elegant Beto Márcico, who could toast with French champagne as he watches a slick dribble from a still long-haired Diego Latorre.

If it’s a long-range shot, it’s gotta be with the outside of the foot... and we’ve got the best: Chelo Delgado. But shhh—Guillermo Barros Schelotto is also on the pitch, and anchoring the backline, don’t worry, there’s a general: Jorge Bermúdez.

In the middle, always Pepe Basualdo and the tireless Diego Cagna. When he pushes too far upfield, you can hear the jokes and laughs from Bambino Veira on the bench. But the opposing players that Chicho Serna marks? They’re not laughing at all.

Don’t worry—Tota Fabbri always arrives. Carlos Salvador Bilardo adjusts his tie, and the Virrey (Bianchi) packs his suitcase for yet another intercontinental trip.

At a press conference, Miguel Ángel Russo answers a reporter’s question with a calm “those are decisions”, and Coco Basile... “No comments.”

Rodrigo Palacio? You can’t stop him—he’s a bullet. And Claudio Paul Caniggia, the son of the wind... don’t even ask.

We’ve still got Pato Abbondanzieri and Flaco Schiavi, who might look like a comedy duo, but when it came to the big games, they were all business.

There’s a lot of history to tell, and many names worth highlighting—but as if they were all one, the common thread in this story is passion. For those colors. For that neighborhood. That stadium. That jersey that all these legends wore with honor.

A great football story, which thankfully, is still being written.