- Leandro Paredes spoke exclusively to CONMEBOL ahead of the Final in Barranquilla on 21 November.
- The Boca Juniors captain discussed his role in the squad, the influence of head coach Rodolfo “Vasco” Arruabarrena and the young players coming through at Boca Predio, among other topics.
Leandro Paredes already knows what it feels like to lift a trophy as Boca Juniors captain. His side beat Defensa y Justicia 1-0 in a thrilling decider to win Argentina’s Liga Profesional title. It was the first time he had lifted a trophy since returning to the club, a moment he hopes to relive on 21 November in Barranquilla when Boca take on Atlético Mineiro in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Final.
His return has transformed Boca. A central figure in a new era, Paredes is now at the heart of a side challenging on all fronts under president Juan Román Riquelme and head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena. Boca also face Banfield in the Copa Argentina semi-finals and Independiente Rivadavia in the Clausura round of 16. Paredes and his team-mates want to win them all, and in Barranquilla they have the chance to bring another international trophy home. Ahead of the Final, Boca’s No. 5 spoke to CONMEBOL about facing Atlético Mineiro.
CONMEBOL: You just bumped into Vasco. I see him as the captain of this ship, one of the leaders. He’s the coach. Do you feel he’s changed this Boca side in some way? Is that why you’re reaching so many finals?
Paredes: Yes, of course. He’s been really important for the group and for the way we play. He’s also shown us what it means to wear this shirt. He’s someone who’s achieved so much, and having him lead us now means a great deal to all of us.
CONMEBOL: You came through an unusual tie against Vasco da Gama to reach the final. You went behind in the second leg, and you came on just days after picking up an injury. How did you and the coach reach that decision? What did you say to each other before you went on in such a decisive game?
Paredes: We didn’t talk about it much. The coach and I both knew the risk was high because I’d only picked up the injury a few days earlier. But we both knew I wanted to be out there, I wanted to help, I wanted to be part of that game. Luckily, things worked out really well.
CONMEBOL: You tell me, but I think you put your body on the line to some extent in that game.
Paredes: Yes, but I don’t take any special credit for that. I think any of my team-mates, any Boca fan, would have done the same. I just tried to get myself in the best shape I could so I could help.
CONMEBOL: I wasn’t suggesting you were looking for credit. What struck me was how much the players in this Boca side put the team first.
Paredes: Yes, we’ve seen that plenty of times with different players. Just recently, Lauti came back from injury ahead of schedule, and so did Toto. Aranda and Bareiro are doing everything they can to get back with the group. I think each of us understood that the team comes first if we want to achieve big things, and I think we’re on the right track.
CONMEBOL: Is that something you talk about among yourselves?
Paredes: A lot of the time, I think it comes down to the example you set. When you see the player next to you giving everything for this shirt, it rubs off on you.
CONMEBOL: The importance of Boca Predio is clear. Every game, you’ve got players alongside you in the first team who came through the academy. But something caught my eye the other day. When you were celebrating after the Superclásico, you posted a photo with Bacidalupe and Rey Domenech. Rey Domenech has only played a couple of first-team games. Bacidalupe’s played one or two. What was behind that photo? Do you have a special bond with the Boca Predio lads?
Paredes: Yes, with all of them. We’re in a good place and we’re a very close group. I feel the lads who’ve come through at Boca are where we get our strength from. I felt that right from the start with Zeballos, Delgado and Di Lollo. Then Tomi, Rey Domenech, “Jagger” Herrera and the others came into the side. I think they give us older players the strength and energy to keep steering the ship.
CONMEBOL: How do you go about guiding those younger players? Is there anything in particular you try to help them with?
Paredes: By example. I think that’s the most important thing. Of course you can talk to them, help them and give them guidance, but I think setting an example is the best way to help them develop.
CONMEBOL: I want to ask about a particular move, especially as Miguel’s here with us. He can jump in too if he wants. There was that special goal against O’Higgins in the play-offs, but we’ve seen that understanding between you on through balls in plenty of games. Is it the diagonal run he makes? Is it about which of you looks up first? Do you think it through, does it come naturally, or is it something you talk about?
Paredes: I think there’s always an understanding between players when things like that happen. But I also know he deserves more credit than I do. The runs he makes leave me with a very easy job.
CONMEBOL: So in this case, the move starts when Miguel makes his run.
Paredes: Yes, definitely. If he didn’t make those runs, I wouldn’t have an option or a pass to play. He makes it so easy for me.
CONMEBOL: You and Miguel Merentiel have become good friends since you arrived. Is that right?
Paredes: Yes, that’s right.
CONMEBOL: What’s that friendship like? I understand your families are close too.
Paredes: Yes, like I was saying, we clicked straight away. We got to know each other and grew closer, and these days we get on really well. I care a lot about him and his family too. Like you said, we’ve got a lovely friendship.
CONMEBOL: Miguel, is there anything you’d like to ask Leandro? Do you want to come over and ask him a question?
Merentiel: I’d just like to thank him for coming here to play with us. We’d gone a long time without winning anything, and having him here has made a real difference to us. He gives us guidance every day. That goes for me, the younger lads and the older players too. He’s always got a word for each of us. So, while we’re both here and I’ve got the chance, I wanted to thank him for that.
Paredes: You’re going to make me tear up…
Merentiel: You know how much we rely on you. And beyond football, you know how much you mean to me. I just wanted you to know that.
Paredes: Thank you… I always say that, beyond what people see from the outside, we’ve got a lovely friendship. He’s a friend I’ve made through football. It’s hard to make friends in this profession, and he’s one of them.
CONMEBOL: You’ve played in all kinds of finals, including two world finals. Will there be something special about this one?
Paredes: Yes, of course. Of course. Because of what this shirt means to me. And because of what it means to all of us to be playing in another international final. We’re one step away from winning something important for the club and for every one of us. We’ve worked so hard all year to get to play in finals like this.
CONMEBOL: How do you picture Saturday night, 21 November, in Barranquilla? Have you thought about it?
Paredes: I try not to think about it too much. I try to take my life and my career one day at a time. I try to enjoy each day and, of course, to approach this final the way I’ve approached the others.
CONMEBOL: If you could send a message to all the Boca fans, whether they’re making the trip, staying at home or following the team from anywhere in the world, what would you say to them ahead of the final?
Paredes: First, I’d like to thank them for all the support they’ve given us throughout the year. And then I’d ask them to have faith in this group. We’ll give it everything we’ve got to give them something to celebrate.
