Racing Are Champions

Lopez leads his side to the title

In August 2018, Racing Club de Avellaneda crashed out of the Libertadores Cup, losing 3-0 to River Plate. “I have been here nearly three years and we haven’t won anything,” lamented captain Lisandro Lopez afterwards. Aged 36, this was to be the striker’s last Libertadores campaign. Like many Argentina players, after a successful spell in Europe, he was winding down his career at the club where he started out and he had unfinished business. “It is time we started winning titles.”

Fast forward seven months, the Racing captain lined up in the wall to defend a free-kick against Tigre in the league. He was in tears. His nearest team-mate consoled him. News had filtered through from the other side of Buenos Aires where Defensa y Justicia failed to win their game. It mattered little that Tigre equalised. Racing were champions.

Loved by Racing fans, respected by other clubs’ supporters, skipper Lopez was the team’s compass, the striker whose 17 goals made him the oldest top scorer in league history. Fifteen years previously he had been top scorer in the league with the club, but this year his goals helped lift the title.