By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-24 05:20:05 | Updated at 2024-11-24 07:58:51
3 hours ago
If football in Argentina is a family affair, then it appears that one fan of a Buenos Aires-based club brought his relative along with him to a cup final - but in a macabre manner.
Saturday marked the end to the 2024 edition of the Copa Sudamericana - South America's version of the Europa League - pitting Argentine club Racing Club de Avellaneda and Brazilian club Cruzeiro.
But one fan of Racing who attended the final played in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion decided to bring the skull of a deceased family member along with him.
When ESPN Argentina interviewed the man and his friend as to why they had the human remnants with them, he explained that it wasn't a random person's former head.
'It's my grandfather Valentin Aguilera, a die-hard Racing fan,' the person explained (via Fox Sports Mexico). 'Racing is my love and he is my love too, my grandfather.
The fan added that he takes his grandfather everywhere with him.
A fan of Argentine club Racing brought his grandfathers skull to a cup final on Saturday
It appears this isn't the first time that grandpa made a re-emergence for sporting glory.
Back in 2019, multiple reports from outlets like Sports Illustrated and CNN revealed that a man named Gabriel Aranda - who bears a resemblance to the fan at the Sudamericana final - unearthed the skull of his grandfather (also named Valentin) to commemorate when Racing won the league in the 2018-19 season.
Fortunately for this fan, his grandfather's remains bore witness to another chapter in Racing's sporting history.
Racing Club - nicknamed 'La Academia' - won the first Copa Sudamericana in its history by defeating Cruzeiro 3-1.
Gaston Martirena put the first goal away at the 15 minute mark before Adrian Martinez doubled Racing's luck in the 21st minute.
Cruzeiro made things interesting early in the second half with a 53rd minute goal from Kaio Jorge before substitute Roger Martinez sealed the deal for Racing in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Racing have previously won the Copa Libertadores - South America's version of the Champions League - back in 1967.
They have also won the Argentine top flight 18 times - the third most behind powerhouse clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors.
