6 of biggest icons to have graced the 'Superclasico'
Superclasico legend status awaits for the hero of the Copa Libertadores final - here, we look at six of the biggest icons to have played in matches between River Plate and Boca Juniors.
The Superclasico at El Monumental will decide much more than bragging rights as River Plate host Boca Juniors in the second leg of a tantalisingly poised Copa Libertadores final.
River twice came from behind at La Bombonera to draw 2-2, leaving an opportunity for a player to etch their name into the history of one of world football's fiercest rivalries.
Some legendary names have pulled on the iconic jerseys of Boca and River, and here we look at six greats to have graced the fixture who Saturday's hero could secure a place alongside by striking the decisive blow.
BOCA JUNIORS
Alfredo Di Stefano
Though he is considered by many to be Real Madrid's greatest player, Di Stefano first emerged as a phenomenal goalscorer with River in the 1940s.'The Blond Arrow' took to coaching after devastating Spanish defences and it was in his second footballing life that he endeared himself to both sides of the Superclasico, delivering league titles to both River and Boca, whom he managed twice.
Enzo Francescoli
Such was his loyalty to River, Uruguayan midfielder Francescoli is thought to have said he could simply never play for Boca Juniors. Nicknamed 'The Prince' for his graceful style, Francescoli was a Superclasico regular across two trophy-laden spells in Argentina, and scored a memorable equaliser in a 1-1 Supercopa Sudamericana quarter-final draw at La Bombonera in October 1994.
Roberto Perfumo
Far from prolific, River icon Roberto Perfumo saved one of his rare goals for a Superclasico visit to Boca in April 1976. The right-back, Argentina's captain at the 1974 World Cup, fired in a free-kick from just outside the box to give the away side a 1-0 win. "I screamed like a kid," Perfumo was later quoted as saying.