👀 “I ran into Casillas recently at the Club World Cup, hadn’t seen him in a while, and he said to me: ‘Man, you guys really messed me up with those two goals you scored on me.’”

The selfie from the encounter

The World Final

In Tokyo, on November 28, 2000, Boca Juniors were crowned champions of the Intercontinental Cup after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 in a match that left a lasting mark. Martín Palermo scored both goals for the Argentine team: the first at three minutes via a cross from Marcelo “Chelo” Delgado, and the second at six minutes, from a play started by a long pass from Juan Román Riquelme, which the “Titán” finished with a left-footed cross-shot that beat Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The two clinical finishes sparked euphoria at the National Stadium in Tokyo and left the then-young Spanish goalkeeper stunned, outplayed by the precision and decisiveness of the Argentine striker.

The Optimist of Goals, Today

In the immediate future, the “Optimist of Goals,” as Carlos Bianchi described him, is taking a deliberate pause: after a short but successful stint that included his first title as a coach and a subsequent abrupt departure, Palermo is choosing to rest before embarking on a new project. His time at Olimpia left a significant mark—a title and an efficiency rate above 60%—which contrasts with the abrupt end at the helm of the Decano. At 51 years old, the question is whether this break will be short-lived or the prelude to a new challenge that places him back in the spotlight on the sidelines.

Boca Juniors, an Obsession

“Everything comes at the right time.”

In a conversation with ESPN F90, the Titán reflected on the ideal moment to take the helm:

“We’ve been saying this since 2013… It’s always been the question: ‘When are you going to coach Boca?’ (…) It’s not about feeling pressured or rushing things: everything comes at the right time. I think it’s no longer like in previous years when they said Palermo wasn’t ready… I don’t know what coach is the right fit for this or that team, because sometimes experience isn’t enough for the demands and expectations of such a big club.”

He also commented on the demands of the Xeneize:

“Everything you play with Boca is an obligation… Everything you play with Boca, you have to win… If you go to Boca, you can’t avoid having to prove your ability…”

The Relationship with Juan Román Riquelme

“I dream of coaching Estudiantes and Boca… When the person who was going to run for president of Boca proposed that if he won, I’d be the coach, that was the closest I came to fulfilling that dream.”

But he also acknowledged the political reality: “I don’t think Riquelme will call me. No. If he does, it’s for some ulterior motive… I’ll have to wait another four years to coach Boca.”

The Madman

Martín Palermo didn’t just leave a mark with his goals; he also did so with a unique style that made him an iconic figure in Argentine football. His rebellious looks defined an era: from the classic bleached blonde mane during his glory days with Boca, to more eccentric cuts, buzzed heads, and highlighted hairstyles that broke with the sobriety of the time. That defiant and distinctive style matched his personality on the pitch, that of a striker who played with character, took risks, and wasn’t afraid to go against the grain. Even today, his image remains etched as that of a footballer who, beyond goals, set an unmistakable trend.