A few years back, it happened, and now it’s repeated in the Copa Sudamericana. The cleverness of a ball boy helped Racing secure the second decisive goal, which sealed their place in the grand final. It’s a moment reminiscent of the young man who made headlines during Liverpool’s famous comeback against FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.

That young man was Oakley Cannonier, who, at just 17, experienced one of the Champions League's most iconic nights. Barcelona arrived at Anfield with a significant 3-0 lead, but Jürgen Klopp’s side had other plans and staged a memorable comeback.

The Liverpool Goal with the Help of the Ball Boy

Cannonier, a Liverpool youth academy player, became famous for his quick thinking as a ball boy on that unforgettable Anfield night. He swiftly returned the ball to Trent Alexander-Arnold before Barcelona’s defense could regroup. This fast action allowed Arnold to execute a surprise corner to Origi, who scored the goal seen around the world, embodying the fighting spirit of the game and Liverpool's attitude on a historic night for the Reds and a devastating one for Barça.

Since then, Cannonier has become an icon among Liverpool fans, even receiving tributes for his pivotal contribution. His quick thinking wasn’t just coincidence; it was part of Jürgen Klopp’s directive for ball boys to stay alert and speed up the game. It was a carefully crafted detail that helped the team maximize every second in their legendary comeback.

Racing’s Star Ball Boy

Juan Fernando Quintero became Racing’s hero, guiding the team to the 2024 Copa Sudamericana final with an outstanding performance in the second leg of the semifinal.

El colo

The Colombian opened the scoring with a penalty and later crowned a fantastic counterattack, securing Racing’s 2-1 win over Corinthians and their place in the final, where they’ll face Cruzeiro in the quest for the title.

Racing’s victory had an epic feel, not only for the hard-fought 2-2 tie in the first leg but also for the home comeback, a special night lit up by the magic of the left-footed Antioquian. But as the hours passed, players and fans began to appreciate another unexpected hero: the ball boy, who turned out to be the “mastermind” behind Quintero’s second goal. At the critical moment, the young man leapt over the barriers to keep the play alive—a moment now etched in the memory of Racing’s fans.

“My name is Martín Santoro; I play as an attacking midfielder in Racing’s under-15s,” the boy shared, amusingly in the same position as JuanFer, explaining his instinct for that decisive play. “I was unsure, but Rojas asked for it, so I passed it to him; he passed to Maravilla, and it reached JuanFer... incredible to have been part of a play that ended in a goal,” Martín shared on Racing’s social media.

The players celebrated with him on the field, praising his quick reaction and sharp instincts to keep up with the pace, precisely what the play called for.