Alberto Spencer is remembered before the Copa Libertadores final: Palmeiras vs. Flamengo

It is a tradition in South American football to remember and enhance the image of Alberto Pedro Spencer Herrera at the beginning of each year, when the draw for the groups of the Copa Libertadores de América is going to take place; and also in the final months, when the tournament has to define the champion.

Since 2019, the Copa Libertadores title has been decided as a single final in a neutral venue. This 2021 will see the faces, in the legendary Centenario stadium of Montevideo, the Brazilians Palmeiras, current champion, and Flamengo.

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The Centennial, inaugurated in 1930 for the first soccer World Cup, is a National Historic Monument in Uruguay. Properly stated, a world heritage site. Alberto Spencer scored many goals on his court, the former Ecuadorian striker who is an icon in that country and in his native Ecuador he is the best footballer of all time.

Three Libertadores Cups won, five finals starring and the highest goal score in the tournament: 54 (37 signed in the legendary Centennial), which may not be equaled in a century. Or never. That’s one of the marks Spencer left on South American soccer.

This is how two of his three children remember him Magic Head in the preamble to the final of the 2021 edition, which will play this Saturday, November 27 in the Uruguayan capital Palmeiras and Flamengo.

“It’s quite admirable, because when you go somewhere, to a place, and recognize yourself as a relative of Alberto Spencer, in general, what you receive are beautiful memories and affection from people,” said Jacqueline.

Alberto, the eldest of three children, says that his father’s game that was most commented on was the one that Peñarol and River Plate played in 1966, for the tiebreaker of the final series with round-trip matches, which were played in the Centennial (2-0) and the Monumental of Buenos Aires (3-2); and those that Peñarol played with Real Madrid for the Intercontinental Cup.

In Santiago de Chile, the charcoal makers crowned a long campaign in the Cup turning a spectacular final. River won 2-0 at the end of the first half. Spencer discounted and raised his own. A shot from Julio César Abbadie bounced off Roberto Matosas and got in for the equalizer. In overtime, Spencer and Pedro Virgilio Rocha rounded the 4-2 for the Uruguayans.

For Alberto, his father was “a man who had the goal between his eyebrows, and as a scorer it was something wonderful.”

It also highlights that Magic Head He was the one who was in Peñarol “also helped, without a doubt, by a fantastic, unforgettable and, unfortunately, unrepeatable team”.

Spencer, Rocha, Julio César Cortés and Juan Joya made up a formidable lead. (D)