Botafogo’s stay in Montevideo for this Wednesday’s match (30th), against Peñarol, for the semifinal of the Copa Libertadores, is marked by the presence of many fans to see their idols up close. But one of them did not even need to travel, since he is Uruguayan by birth and black at heart: Juan, 38 years old, was born in Uruguay, but he has always had Botafogo as his favorite team. He has been a Glorioso fan since he was nine years old.
Juan was at the door of the hotel where the Botafogo delegation is staying on Wednesday afternoon. Born in Rivera, on the border with Brazil, he has obvious ties to the country, but the greatest is, without a doubt, his love for the club. The Uruguayan insisted on buying a Botafogo shirt with the number 4 and the name of the right back Mateo Ponte, born in Uruguay. In fact, he got an autograph from his compatriot while he was close to the black and white stars.
“I am Botafogo and I am very excited. I live two blocks away and I’m waiting for another autograph besides the one Ponte gave me, who signed my jersey yesterday (Tuesday). Living in Uruguay it is very difficult to see Botafogo up close. But it is my dream as a child,” said Juan, who hugged Bota in Rivera, on the border with the city of Santana do Livramento, in Rio Grande do Sul:
“The majority are Inter or Grêmio. When I was nine years old, Botafogo was champion of Brazil with that team of Túlio, Gonçalves, Wágner… And there came that passion for Botafogo that no one can take away from me. The 5-0 was very good, but don’t let yourself be fooled. The team is much more mature than last year. There will be no fights or anything, it is just passion and celebration that we will have today.”