On May 24, 2000 Martin returned to football after more than 6 months of inactivity after his first major injury. He played the last 15 minutes of the quarterfinal match of the Copa Libertadores against River Plate, and scored the goal that sealed the victory with what he called "the most emotional goal of my career", leaving the score at 30 to Boca Juniors (the first match ended 12)
Juan Román RIQUELME was the center of attention for a packed Bombonera stadium for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final. The former Abicelestes play-maker was set to say goodbye for the second time to the supporters of the most popular club from Argentina. Against Boca Juniors were Gremio, from Brazil, and the Buenos Aires side was too much for them. Very much so, because of Juan Román RIQUELME. Involved with all 3 goals, with himself netted the second one. RIQUELME created a chance when he was fouled just outside the Gremio area. After a clever touch by Pablo LEDESMA to neutralise the presence of the Gremio wall, RIQUELME sent a screamer from 25 meters and made it 2-0 before starting to run like a mad man while almost 60,000 people (with a certain Diego Armando MARADONA included) paid tribute to his undeniable talent.
He was the one who pulled the string. The leader of the pack. This was the best possible farewall for La Bombonera aficionados from one of Boca Juniors's greatest 10. Viva Roman!
Second Leg : Venue : Olímpico Monumental, Porto Alegre, Brazil Date : 20.6.2007
Nothing more to say. It was all RIQUELME. The Picasso of football. Only setback is this second leg should be played at La Bombonera. VIVA ROMAN!!! VIVA BOCA!!!
La Bombonera is electric! And the posters are there, "Roman, gracias para volver a Boca"! (Roman, thank you for coming back to Boca)
And the familiar chants of "Boca...mi buen amigo" can probably be heard all the way from Santiago, Chile.
And Riquelme is here! Everyone in La Bombonera is jumping and down, including Maradona, who is waving his hands around as usual!
Boca are wearing the away kits (weird!). Whatever. Roman is here, who cares what he's wearing as long as it's a Boca shirt?
And there's the sound we've all been waiting for: "Riqueeeelmee...Riqueeeelmeee...Riqueeeelmee"
The first time Riquelme touched the ball, all of La Bombonera screamed "Olé!"
He touched it again, again "Ole!!" and then he was fouled, and a cheer erupted.
SHIT Central scored! It was inevitable, they were playing better the whole first half. Something's not right, Russo has to fix it at halftime.
Ooohhhh Orteman was close there.
HERE we go, now we're playing much better. I think it's just that nobody was focusing for a long time. Hopefully we will come back and win.
Orteman booked.
AAGHH Riquelme played Palermo through beautifully but Alvarez saved it.
Ibarra booked for a foul on that Di Maria fellow, who is playing well.
Caranta has produced several great saves to keep us in the game.
Halftime, we're down 0-1. This is not good, Russo needs to get something together here.
Second half getting underway. Palacio was talking to Roman about something, hopefully they'll link up better this half.
Yes! The exact change I wanted! Pablo Ledesma is on for Orteman. Russo is making the right move, I think. I hope it works out. Hopefully we will get more stability in the midfield and defense because Orteman was not playing well.
And Clemente Rodriguez on for Ibarra.
Palermo is not playing well, Russo should put on Marioni instead.
Some messing around after a corner and Palacio eventually gets it and slams it in. We're even! Now let's win it. We've been the better team this half.
Defense is way better after those changes. Rosario have barely had the ball at all and Clemente is playing very well on the right. Ledesma is keeping that side covered as well. So now Morel and Cardozo on the left, Battaglia and Roman in the middle.
Well done Neri!! After some great work he earns a free kick on the left side near the goal.
Ledesma is an idiot! He keeps shooting from far out and missing!
Riquelme is playing pretty well. I'd 7/10 so far, he's not playing at his maestro level but he's been good. He just won another free kick and that was CLOSE TO A GOAL but headed out for a corner kick.
Ledesma earns a booking after he fouls Kily, who rolls around like he's been shot. Huh, he looks like he might be injured actually. That was very stupid of Ledesma, I think he's suspended now too.
Never mind, Kily will walk it off. Could have been an elaborate show.
Finally! Palermo off for Marioni. Palermo was useless the whole time. Time to give Marioni the starting spot.
See?? Marioni created two chances already.
FULL TIME - EVEN STEVEN
Yeah this is a bad result. Central for the most part got lucky with this, but we didn't play well at all in the final third. We were restricted to playing near the bylines, none of the crosses were that great and the ones that were good, Palermo was useless so it didn't matter. Riquelme was mediocre. Orteman was bad, Ledesma was bad, Ibarra was mediocre, Marioni was okay, Palacio was mediocre except for the goal. Caranta was very good, Battaglia was pretty good, Diaz and Maidana was decent, Morel was good, and Clemente was pretty good. Defense was good in the second half but the attacking players didn't cut it.
.....LOSERS...till the next time 
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