- The Uruguayan striker spoke exclusively to CONMEBOL about his goal celebrations, his finishing techniques and the secrets behind his attacking partnership with Leandro Paredes.
- Just six goals away from breaking into Boca Juniors' all-time top 20 goalscorers, ‘La Bestia’ is preparing to face Atlético Mineiro in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Final on 21 November in Barranquilla.
Miguel Merentiel has a unique way of experiencing the joy of scoring. The sheer excitement sometimes inspires unexpected celebrations. His creativity also comes to the fore before the ball even crosses the line, with unconventional finishes that leave the football world in awe. Since arriving at the club, the Uruguayan striker has become a constant presence in Boca's attack: “Scoring goals is always special, especially wearing this shirt, with everything it represents. Every time I score, I try to enjoy it as much as possible. Those crazy things just come naturally to me.”
Ahead of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026 Final, in which Boca will face Atlético Mineiro on Saturday 21 November in Barranquilla, Merentiel offered an exclusive insight into his world as a goalscorer in an interview with CONMEBOL. Despite his consistent goalscoring record, individual milestones are not his main priority: “I think more about the team, about making sure things go well for everyone.”
CONMEBOL: Well, Migue, this is your second international final with Boca. How are you feeling about it?
Merentiel: It's great. It's really nice to be playing in another international cup final. Things have worked out for us to reach another final, and we're very happy. We're looking forward to the occasion.
CONMEBOL: You've already won the Sudamericana. What do you remember about that experience?
Merentiel: It was one of the most beautiful moments of my career as well. Winning it with Defensa, such a humble club, was incredibly important. Although, as I mentioned recently, I didn't get to play that much, I still felt part of the achievement because I had the opportunity to come on at decisive moments. I'm happy to be in another final.
CONMEBOL: Do you remember your first goal for Boca? Do you remember how you celebrated it?
Merentiel: Yes.
CONMEBOL: You headbutted the acrylic barrier. For those of us watching you, your celebrations are absolutely crazy. It's almost as if you were born to celebrate goals for Boca. Is there something different about celebrating goals in a Boca shirt?
Merentiel: Yes, definitely. Sometimes I transform into someone else and do something silly or crazy. That time, it just happened. I ran over there, the barrier was right in front of me and, in the heat of the moment, I headbutted it. But I wouldn't do it again. I might end up cracking my skull!
CONMEBOL: What goes through your mind when you score a goal for Boca?
Merentiel: It's an incredible feeling. Scoring goals is always special, especially wearing this shirt, with everything it represents. Every time I score, I try to enjoy it as much as possible. Those crazy things just come naturally to me.
CONMEBOL: Facu Herrera told us that sometimes it's difficult to enjoy the moment. Do you feel the same way?
Merentiel: Yes, it's difficult, but everyone is different and experiences things in their own way. I find it really hard. Whenever we win, there's obviously that happiness of thinking, ‘Well, we've won.’ But at this club, you're expected to win trophies. We're on the verge of achieving something important, like winning the CONMEBOL Sudamericana. We try to enjoy each day, but we also know we have a responsibility.
CONMEBOL: If everything goes to plan, you'll probably reach 200 appearances for Boca next year. Do you ever think about that?
Merentiel: Honestly, when I arrived here, I never imagined experiencing all these moments, finding myself in this position or being close to playing 200 matches in this shirt, which is no easy achievement. Maybe you don't realise it at the time, but as the years go by, you'll look back and say, ‘Wow, I played 200 games for Boca,’ and that must be a pretty powerful feeling. Because I try to enjoy the present, I don't always realise everything that's happening to me. I just want to keep going down this path, which has worked well so far, and stay calm. I don't stop to think about those milestones because maybe that could affect me in some way. I try to take things one day at a time and, if I reach that milestone or others, I'll try to appreciate them further down the line.
CONMEBOL: Speaking of goals, you're just six away from breaking into Boca's all-time top 20 goalscorers. Do you keep an eye on those numbers? What would that mean to you?
Merentiel: Honestly, as I said, I don't really pay much attention to those things. I do keep track of my goals, and sometimes people remind me of those numbers, so I hear about them, but I don't think about them too much. I'm more focused on the team and making sure things go well for everyone. If the goals keep coming and I can continue climbing the all-time scoring charts, that's even better. But if not, I always try to contribute to the team in other ways.
CONMEBOL: Let's talk about your game. How did you come up with that unusual finishing technique, where you strike the ball downwards and bounce it off the ground?
Merentiel: I do it all the time in training here, or I'll play passes using that same movement, but I'd never dared to try it in a match. Then, recently in Paraguay, the opportunity came up. The ball fell perfectly for me to strike it that way, so I took my chance. I scored, and since then I've used it in a few other matches. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I'll try it, and when it doesn't, I'll finish in the usual way. I want it to be another useful tool in my game, especially when I don't have another option. It can catch opponents by surprise, so I try to use it in those situations.
CONMEBOL: You're a player with explosive pace, perfectly suited to making runs in behind defenders. But Boca often pin their opponents back, with teams defending deep and leaving very little space. Is that how you see it? What's been the key to your success at Boca in those circumstances?
Merentiel: We've got so much quality in the team and so many technically gifted players that I always try to make runs into space, knowing that sooner or later a pass will come my way. And if that doesn't happen, I try to create space for my teammates to make those runs instead. Teams usually sit back around the halfway line against Boca, so there isn't much room to exploit. Sometimes you have to drop deeper and get more involved in the build-up, but I always try to stay right on the shoulder of the last defender, ready for that ball in behind, and make the most of it when it comes.
CONMEBOL: One move that perfectly illustrates the type of player you are is your goal against Bayern, which came from exactly that kind of situation.
Merentiel: Yes, that was a really good movement to lose my marker. Then Alan played a great pass, and it turned into a lovely goal at an important moment. I try to make those runs so my teammates can set me up. That's basically what it's all about.
CONMEBOL: How do you know when it's the right moment to make that run? For example, when Paredes has the ball at his feet, is a single glance enough for you to know it's time to go?
Merentiel: With Lea, we've even got certain moves planned before the match starts. We'll talk about situations where he's going to receive the ball in a particular position, and from there he'll play a pass that puts me through on goal. Or when he receives the ball and shapes his body to play a pass with the outside of his foot, I already know exactly where I need to run. He's the one who mainly guides me towards the spaces I should attack. A lot of those moves have worked, although I've missed chances as well. But I always have to stay alert to what my teammates are doing. I'm getting to know everyone better and better, and I understand how I can make the most of their qualities when they're on the ball. I always try to stay switched on.
CONMEBOL: Speaking of Paredes, how did that relationship develop? You didn't know him before he arrived, did you?
Merentiel: No, I didn't know him before he arrived, but we had a connection from his very first day here. Then we started spending time together, drinking mate, and the relationship developed naturally. Nowadays, I consider him a friend both on and off the pitch because we genuinely get along really well.
CONMEBOL: Even your families have become close, haven't they?
Merentiel: Yes, we always get together. We get along really well, and we're very fond of his family, so we always try to spend time together and stay close.
CONMEBOL: Who does the cooking when you get together?
Merentiel: Well, we all get involved with the food, everyone lends a hand, but I'm usually the one doing most of the cooking.
CONMEBOL: Does he ever cook anything?
Merentiel: He made me some steaks once, and they turned out really well.
CONMEBOL: You once mentioned that you might get a tattoo if you won this competition, didn't you?
Merentiel: Maybe. I don't have any tattoos at all. Not of my kids, not of my dog, nothing. I'd like to get something tattooed one day, but we'll see what happens now. Hopefully things work out and I'll be able to get one.
CONMEBOL: One last question, a slightly more formal one. Have you watched anything of Atlético Mineiro yet? Do you have an idea of what to expect from your opponents?
Merentiel: Not yet. Right now, we're focused on the most important match for us, which is the next one. We'll start thinking about the final further down the line. We try to stay focused on each day and the next match, which is always the most important, because from now until the end of the year, every game is like a final for us. Our focus is on this weekend.
CONMEBOL: How do you imagine Saturday night, the 21st, will unfold?
Merentiel: Hopefully it'll be a huge celebration. I really hope so. Boca's fans deserve this and so much more. Hopefully everything goes our way. It would be something wonderful for them and for us as well.
